Artist Profile: Justin Maller “Outer Mind” Interview

Justin Maller, a 26 year old art director and illustrator, originally from Melbourne, AU, is currently living in Brooklyn, NYC, where he freelances for major companies providing them with great concepts for their projects. He has worked with many well known companies such as Verizon, DC Shoe co.,Crooks & Castles, and ESPN. He also owns Depthcore, which is an international art collective focused on modern and abstract art, that incorporates design, photography, animation and audio.

Who are some well known people that you have worked with?

Not sure about well known people; I’ve worked with some pretty big brands though, including Verizon, ESPN, DC Shoe Co…

Did you collaborate with any clothing lines? If so, which brands you have worked with?

Yeah, I’ve worked with a couple. I did some work with DC on a few different projects, have done a few shirts for Rich Soil, lookbook treatments for Crooks & Castles.

Are there any new projects that you are working on now?

I just wrapped up another pretty big campaign for Verizon; everything from print to billboards to trucks and vans! I also just finished a campaign for the Australian national soccer team, some concept stuff for Hennessy and am currently working on a really fun book cover project; this is a special treat for me, as I have been a voracious reader my whole life, and the chance to read a work and then create it’s first edition cover is a real blast for me.

Tell us more about the book cover you’re working on? Are you writing the book yourself? If so what is the book going to be about?

The book is being published through Simon & Schuster; I did not write it, just working on the cover for them. I’m not sure how much I can give away about the book; I am creating a very atmospheric nature themed piece for them, incorporating several symbolic elements from the text.

Who are some of your artistic idols?

Honestly, I don’t have artistic idols. I have artists who I greatly enjoy, many of whom are in my art collective, Depthcore. Some of my favourites include Raphael Vincenzi from mydeadpony.com and Anneli Olander from anneliolander.com

How did you become popular in Australia, are you mostly known for your editing /illustration?

I don’t know that I am especially popular in Australia; most of my work comes from America and Europe, and always has. I would go so far as to say I am only known for my editing / illustration work, as my U2 cover band has been met with substantially less critical acclaim.

(I am not really in a U2 cover band. Fuck U2).

Were you always an artist at heart growing up? Or did you develop the talent along the way. Is art your passion or do you feel you have something else to offer for the world.

I only started creating visual art when I finished high school. Up until then my focus had been on writing, acting and music; I have played drums since I was 13, and honestly thought I would probably end up as some kind of actor. Apparently not!

You have an 8 year long career under your belt. What do you love most about your work?

At the moment, apart from just loving being creative and making things all day, I am just loving the lifestyle. I’m lucky enough to be at the point where I have a steady enough stream of work that I can travel incessantly and not have to think about it. I just grab my laptop and go wherever I feel like. Right now, I’m in Miami. I fly back to New York in two days for a few weeks, then back to Miami, maybe out to the Keys, back to NYC, then who knows where? Europe?

Out of your collections, which are your favorite pieces?

Honestly, at the moment, I’m kind of sick of everything I’ve made. I feel like I’m on the precipice of something new, everything I’ve done feels old to me. My favourites are ‘Of Ground’ and ‘Hymns’ – maybe there is some direction in those two to move. Time will tell.

Have you ever had an art show? Where and when was your first show?

Yeah, I’ve had two. First was in 2007, second in 2009. Both were a lot of work, a lot of fun, a lot of stress. I learned a lot from the first show, which was really just a hodge podge of stuff I had made, not really a cohesive collection. The second show, I put a lot more of myself into, creating the collection of work more or less from scratch. Good times.

What do you think about modern day art and modern day artists?

Hard question to answer. I think the good artists are good, and the bad ones are shit. Much like antiquated artists I suppose! Artwork can be construed as a reflection of the environment around it, and I really enjoy seeing the way the times we live in manifest themselves in artwork.

What do you mostly incorporate in your paintings?

Again, they aren’t really paintings. I seem to have a preoccupation with organic things (trees, plants, animals) and fashion photography. Don’t know what this says about me really!

Are you a freelance designer now? Or are you working for a design company?

Yeah, 100% freelance. I worked once briefly in a studio, but prefer the independent lifestyle. Having the fantastic agent I have makes life much easier for me; a solo entity.

Do you feel that there are more opportunities in the US?

Being that a large and vibrant part of the creative industry is based in America, yeah, there is certainly a lot of work that comes out of here.

When will your next event be ?

Organising the Depthcore exhibition at the moment! Not sure exactly when that will be at this point.

If you could describe your self with one word what would that word be?

“Gooey.”