Jesse Willesee teamed-up with the legendary Cobrashop, and IZE is lucky enough to have an exclusive photo set of what was a truly a genius collaboration. The enigmatic artist and self-dubbed creator of tabloid art pushes the boundaries with his art installations. However, Willesee isn't just another innovative artist. With fresh ideas, a unique outlook and a lot of audacity, Willesee is one to watch out for.
Check out Jesee Willesee's photo set and interview with IZE after the jump.
When did your journey in the art world begin? About five years ago. But realistically I wasn't really on the map until 22 Girls Smoking Weed. That's when shit started getting crazy, and I'm loving it!
How did your early life growing up in Australia influence you as an artist? I went to more than 12 different schools. I grew up in Sydney, New York, Perth, then Avalon Beach, Sydney in that order. My formative years were ever changing. It affected me immensely - every school I went to I would develop a new persona, and I've carried that with me through my life and my art. I think Australia gave me sense of humour, and America gave me a sense of sensationalism. And I was on Ritalin the whole time.
When was the point that you realised that this was more than just a hobby, and instead a part of your lifestyle? It was never a hobby. I never tried to be an artist, one day I just decided I was an artist. Even if I was going to be a bad artist, I was dedicated to the idea. It sounds pretentious to say but that’s the truth. The phrase "Don't Try" is written on Charles Bukowski's grave.
At the live shoot at The Cobrashop, punters were encouraged to bring their cameras to take pictures of the models. This is also something you do in your annual Seven Hundred Photos events, which allows the audience to photograph interactive art and fashion installations. What was the inspiration behind this concept? It was just a really cool idea I had, and I hadn't seen anything like it. Everyone had cameras, and people go to galleries and look at paintings and photographs of other people, why not just go look at actual people? Everyone was talking about “interactivity” in the art world, but it was just a word. It was live finger painting, or popping balloons on a burlesque dancer. None of it was cool, none of it was a bunch of wild youth in hotel rooms being photographed by 300 people! I’d say I invented good interactive art in Australia.