Huw Briggs

Artist Bio

Huw Briggs is a multidisciplinary artist based in London, UK. His work explores the intersection of urban architecture and language and what it means to exist in that environment. Briggs finds beauty in abandoned and mundane objects on the ground, transforming urban textures, shapes and colour onto canvases, sculpture and film.

Their artistic process focuses on documenting shifting cityscapes and translating utilitarian materials into emotive, fluid compositions.

Interview

Why do you make art?

It is something I physically and mentally need to do. When I am not creating in the studio, I am constantly thinking about creating. It’s a kind of conceptual process that feeds into the tangible practice. 

What kind of art do you make?

I tend to create artworks that have no meaning, utilising random shapes and colour palettes until the block is over. I find the practice of just creating can sometimes be as fulfilling as creating with a message. 

How often do you visit the studio? What does a typical day or work session look like?

I visit my studio most days. I work as a video editor in my day job so I try to get to the studio after work every evening to maintain consistency. In my day job there are many restrictions and levels of feedback from clients, so the freedom of making without the criticism in my studio is incredibly freeing.

What is your relationship to technology? In what ways do you use or reject it?

My day job is all about technology and has recently been polluted by AI! My art practice is the complete opposite. I tend to reject technology in the studio and rely more on down-to-earth methods of creating. 

In what ways has your work or creative practice changed and evolved since its inception?

I used to search for deep meaning in my art. It became a hindrance as I struggled with being someone with nothing to say about big life issues. I started to make art that had no profound message and was more about the practice itself – making for the sake of making. Since that realisation, I feel that my art has begun to take on a life of its own and I am more relaxed now about subjective analysis of my work.

Tell us about ways in which you have used the project space recently and plan to use it in the future. Has having this facility informed your work and practice in any way?

I’ve been involved in a couple of group shows in the project space and I’m planning to have a solo show there in the near future. The project space has been a fantastic addition to the ASC Studios at Streatham. I’ve managed to attend most of the private views since it opened last year and getting to see other resident’s work on display has been both inspirational and a social treat! Streatham was crying out for a gallery/exhibition space and I think the project space is a great solution to this.

What museum, gallery or other cultural space do you frequent and why?

We’re fortunate in London to have free to enter, world class institutions on our doorstep. I have a membership to the Tate, so I go there often, but also spend a lot of time visiting commercial galleries in central London. I’m a sucker for an exhibition in an unorthodox location though.

What is your studio like and how long have you had it?

I used to have a studio in Carlew House in West Norwood with ACME. When the lease on the building was sold to developers everyone had to move out. A vacancy in ASC Streatham became available and I took it without hesitation. It suits my needs perfectly – it’s close and a great size for the art I make.

How do you get to and from the studio?

I’m fortunate to live very close to the studio so I walk there. Walking is a huge part of my art – I get most of my inspiration from looking down.

What is something you collect?

I’m a big collector. I’ve collected records, ephemera and art for many years now. Some would say it borders on hoarding!