Art
Jonathan Barnbrook interview
Art
What was the first thing you thought about when you woke up this morning?
How tired I am, I was working until 2.30am trying to finish off various things for my exhibition.
What do you wear to work?
I hate people's obsession with brands so I usually just wear anonymous clothes, which I know have not been made under sweatshop conditions. Today, for instance, I’m wearing one of my own t-shirts which says, 'only jerks wear logos'
What do you have for breakfast?
I have a fresh fruit smoothie. When I turned 40, I decided it was time to change my
life. I wanted to become healthier, given most of the men in my family die of a heart attack at around 60. So I changed my diet and started exercising properly.
Do you read a newspaper/watch television/click online?
Of course, all of the above. I’m not snobby about where I get my inspiration. TV is as good as anything, providing fuel for one’s work. I also read a lot of books.
How do you get to work?
By public transport or sometimes I run. I don't own a car as I don't want to contribute to global warming and there’s definitely no need for one in London.
What time do you first check your inbox?
Usually at 8.00am before I leave for work. Design is a service industry and I work worldwide hence I’m 'on call' like a doctor 24 hours a day.
Where are your desk and chair from?
My desk was made especially for my studio. That makes it sounds grand but it’s not, its the same size as a regular work desk. My chair is an orthopaedic design made by Hag.
If you could save only one item from your studio what would it be?
Nothing, actually. I don’t think I’d mind. I often feel that I don't need any possessions and it would be a rather brutal way of finding out what it would be like.
Do you listen to music whilst you work? If so, what are you listening to at the moment?
I think it’s important to listen to music and have a relaxed atmosphere where you work. At the moment I’m listening to the next album by a band called Tuxedomoon. I was really into them when I was younger, and now I have the chance to design their next album cover, which is very satisfying. They’re avant-garde electro-pop.
Where would your ideal lunch be and who would it be with?
I feel guilty if I ever take off time for lunch but if I were indulged it would be with Aung San Suu Kyi, the true democratic leader of Burma, as it would mean she had been released from house arrest. I like other people to choose for me when I eat out as I often think you’ll eat something you may not have known you like. However I love cooking curry, so maybe a Burmese curry in honour of her release.
Summarise in three words your work ethos?
Err...pass (yes that's sort of two, I know)
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Impatience - I wish I could handle living in packed, dirty, noisy London with better humour.
What do you think is the most overrated virtue?
Being patriotic because it’s just embarrassing. I don’t mean you shouldn't be proud of your own culture, just don't think you’re better than anybody else.
Is there any single person that particularly inspires you?
Mahatma Gandhi because he changed the world through a belief in non-violence. If some of the politicians in the world today followed his example then I’m sure much more could be achieved.
Where do you feel most inspired?
On a long train journey. One of the best trips of my life was going on the Trans-Siberian Express. I felt like I had space to think, which I don't normally get, so I set myself tasks, like "think of all of the things that happened in your first year at school" or "think of each room in your house when you were twelve". It was a great thing to be able to do.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Not thinking about whether I have achieved anything or not. I just 'do work'
I don't try and think in terms of a career or anything as calculating as that.
How do you switch off?
As with all creative people, what I do is not a like a job so it’s not like I view my work as some kind of heavy task. It’s a joy to be able to be creative and have people interested in it. Hence I never really switch off. However I can recommend going for a run, it will make you feel good and clear your mind (sorry I know that is not a very rock-and-roll answer).
What did you want to be when you were a child?
Even though I came from a working class family, I always wanted to do something related to art or literature. At the time I didn't even know if there was a way to spend your life working in those fields.
What excites you and terrifies you on a daily basis?
It’s a difficult question to answer but I’d say my own mortality. After the age of 35 you no longer feel immortal, so I’m both horrified about the thought that there’s so much I’ll never see because I’ll die but at the same time I’m also excited because I feel there’s so much to do in such a short space of time.
Would you like to be your own assistant?
Yes, I don't think it’s too terrible a job. I always try and be considerate to the people who help me and give them credit for what they do. There is no point talking about humanitarianism in your work if you’re horrible to people in your daily life.
Is there anything about retirement you look forward to?
I won’t retire so I don't think about it. I intend to do what I do until I drop. I wouldn’t want to sit around feeling like my usefulness to society had ended.
If you could choose to come back as person or thing, who or what would it be?
I rather like what Bob Geldof said about this, which was something along the lines of, 'I don't want to be me, but then I don't particularly want to be anybody else either'. I’m sure a lot of people reading this will identify with that awkward feeling of existence.
Click on the image above to go behind the scenes at the museum.
INFORMATION
‘Friendly Fire’ runs from 19th June to 10th
Next week, listen to our exclusive podcasts
of Jonathan talking about some of the
issues incorporated in his work.
- Website
- http://www.designmuseum.org
- Telephone
- 44.0870 833 9955
- Address
- Design Museum
Shad Thames
London SE1 2YD
