Jim Plunkett

A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE ARTIST

1. What do you do when you’re not making art? (Day job etc...).

I paint full time. I’m raising a family in New York.

2. Why do you make art?

I must like looking at boring, melancholy still life’s and figures, because that’s what I produce. There is a flaky, viscerally destructive side to my output, but it’s mostly cheap shots to keep my spirits buoyant or something. A foil so I can continue with the boring work. To check the boring work. That might sound derogatory, me calling my work boring, but if I can begin to admire it in that state, that sounds ok.

3. What inspires you?

I have a background in surfing, so surf atmosphere, culture and graphics keep me in the glowing fresh air of my 80s neon surf youth. I draw from that well of stoke a lot. I write all the time. That interests me. I like politics and punk music. I like Cezanne.

4. What/who are your influences?

Cezanne. El Greco. Surf films. Abstract painting. Facebook.

5. If you could meet anyone dead or alive who would it be?

I’ve met most of my heroes. A bunch of surfers. As for my inspirations in the arts, I’ve met them through their work. That’s the idea isn’t it? As for actually meeting them, I’d like it to be spontaneous, or it would be a “meeting.”