Spotlight On: Pybus
For many abstract artists, an altered perception of their environment is key to the development of their work. Experimenting and shifting the perspective of reality allows their unique insights to flourish. Pybus’ work is demonstrates this, describing his work as ‘dark art with a lot of science fiction elements’, his practice draws on the unusual aspects of nature and urban surroundings that catch his eye. This differs depending on his mind state, his art uses inspiration from reality but becoming a space in which he can ‘escape, get lost and drift among the abstracts’.
Pybus mainly focuses on digital art, starting with a rough drawing and allowing a natural art process to unfold. He explains that his work exaggerates those strange things around him, in order to give them a familiar yet unsettling feeling. When asked if there were any defining messages behind his work, he states that ‘despite its dark nature, there are political and deep meanings behind each one which are personal to me’.
‘Impression of colour fulfilment’
As a self-taught abstract artist, Pybus relies on his own instinct when creating a new piece. While his practice has always been dark in nature, it is clear that he has evolved as an artist. Learning to experiment with different art application and tools, maintaining his style has been a welcome challenge to Pybus.
“I’ve always been attracted to thought provoking works of art and little gems of obscurity I find along the way”
Like many artists, Pybus’ inspiration comes not only from the contemporary art world but from music, film and the larger artistic sphere. influences include creatives such as Zdzislaw Beksinski, David Bowie, Trent Reznor, Grey Numan to name but a few. These inspirations are clear within his work, the wacky and otherworldly ideas that these individuals possess. Zdizlzlaw Beksinski’s ingenuity is evident through the use of dystopian surrealism reflected in Pybus’ work, drawing upon science fiction and manipulating them into darker themes.
‘Getting it wrong’
The work featured within this article, were submitted to Surface’s recent Street art exhibition. Pybus chose these works to be displayed, as they represent the different mental stages he endured throughout lockdown. The contrasting styles of the work show how the pandemic gradually shifted his style though the change of his environment. These paintings were a way to articulate his thoughts and feelings, using abstraction as an outlet for an inner dialogue that was so prominent during this past year.
Pybus continues to create work, stating that he would like to look further into the academic route for his work, in order to learn new skills and techniques which will help him evolve as an artist. This will allow greater publicity for his artwork and a better ability to network with his fellow creatives. Currently, Pybus is working on several projects, which involve pieces that explore the idea of different dimensions and alternative worlds.
Follow Pybus on Instagram @pybusart to find out more about his future projects
Words by Megan Davies