Ian Stevenson is a London based illustrator with a unique hand drawn style. Finding inspiration from the world around us, his strange characters are full of life and humour. Just back in London after a recent solo show, Artworks managed to grab a few moments with the man behind the pen.

What is your earliest memory of creating art or drawing?
When I won the Turner Prize in 1983.

Who was the first illustrator/artist you discovered that inspired and/or influenced you?
People who follow their own thoughts and create something new, they inspire me. Too many people today just follow and lots of things are the same.

How would you describe your work to people not familiar with it?
It is my thoughts and reactions to the modern world. It makes people question themselves and the world around them.

Tell us what you have been working on recently?
I’ve just done a solo show entitled ‘Really Shit’ at Ship of Fools Gallery in The Netherlands. I created lots of original drawings and have been experimenting with the paint brush.

If all your characters were on holiday in London where might they hang out together?
I don’t know if they’d hang out together. They probably all get on with lives and do their own thing.

What would be your dream commission?
I don’t really dream of commissions and just like to get on with creating things. It’s great to work with people who enjoy my work and don’t want to dumb everything down to cater for the lowest common denominator of human. I would like to do more solo shows, installations, drawings, paintings, animations, music and everything else.

When you aren’t drawing what do you like to do?
I enjoy making music and one day want to release an album of my audio creations. I talk to people I know, I enjoy shops that sell interesting objects, I buy food, pay my bills, drink tea, watch TV, just normal things really.

What’s up next in the world of Ian Stevenson?
What’s up indeed? It’s going to be bigger, better and stronger than before. With more added salt, artificial colours and saturated fat.

Interview by Liz Appleby for Artworks Amsterdam.

www.artworksamsterdam.nl