Anil Mistry is a mixed media artist based in Berkhamsted, UK. His work is focussed on creating new interpretations of urban landscapes that are abstract in nature, compelling yet warmly familiar. Following a childhood interest in art and design, Anil began to experiment in his late teens with typography, graphic design and photography, making gig flyers by layering imagery using photocopiers, scissors and glue. Later, software such as Photoshop and Illustrator became his tools of choice for compositions, starting a commercial career in digital graphic design.
He is now creating art combining his own photography from trips around the world, spray paints, stencils, acrylics and screen printing, to create visually striking mixed media collage art. Anil’s art features stylistically unusual, misfit and often overlooked elements from cityscapes and environments, merging this ‘street furniture’ to create beautiful compositions of unseen landscapes. Rich in texture and depth, the resulting works tells a brand-new story of its own.
Self-taught or art school?
Self-taught, though I did study graphic design as part of my University degree.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
Anything by Basquiat, Hockney or Chuck Close
How would you describe your style?
My work is ultimately mixed media collage with a contemporary feel. I like the freedom of using my own photography combined with screen-printing and paint to create modern art that is beautiful but has an edge to it.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
My art recently has been based on locations. I pick an area, district or suburb of a town or city that I feel with resonate with a wider audience. I will get up early, walk the streets and take a lot of photographs. It takes time to really get under the skin of a place and you have to be in the right frame of mind to spot the unusual things that have a beauty of their own. I try to look for the stylistically unusual, misfit and often overlooked elements that we may walk past every day – the weird structures and street-furniture that we take for granted. Often these things are not obviously aesthetically pleasing but once I have taken the shots, I will edit the images in photoshop, and focus on the elements I like. They are then giclée printed, cut-out then re-positioned to make a new environment or cityscape. I like to then add paint, screen printing and glazes to make the finished piece.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
When constructing my work, the early part is planned on my mac book so I literally take that anywhere to get the work done. My studio is a small area in my home but often I have to spread out across the kitchen and dining table to get the room to work which can be annoying for everyone else in the house!
Is narrative important within your work?
Definitively. In everything I create, I feel there is a new story to be told. The areas of the world that I get to photograph are always in transition, nothing ever stays still. The buildings, shops, (and people) are always being taken down and rebuilt metaphorically speaking. By adding a human element to these reinvented landscapes helps the viewer of the art to infer their own narrative to it.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
This changes all the time but currently Hayden Kays and Bonnie and Clyde are favourites. With Hayden Kays, I love his simple, honest, sometimes dark, highly amusing and unique artwork. There is no pretension, just sheer cleverness oozing out of every piece that he makes.
Bonnie and Clyde’s work has been a big influence for me. She has a great eye for taking photos of objects that wouldn’t normally be taken, then editing and placing these photos alongside textures, patterns and paint.
What or who inspires your art?
It’s all about what I see when I’m out and about. The textures, colours and architecture, in particular, can give me a feeling that I can do something with the elements that catch my eye.
Do you have any studio rituals?
I think you have to be strict and allocate time in the studio or to focus on art even if you are not in the mood. It is a practice after all! I also have to have music on while I am at work. It definitely helps.
What are you working on currently?
I am planning a number of works based on a number of districts in London. I have done a few photo trips but there is still plenty to go before I sit down and start constructing. I am hoping to add a bit more of an organic feel with more brush strokes to my work going forward.
Where can we buy your art?
The best place right now is to visit my website at www.anilmistryart.com which has an online shop. Alternatively, email me at info@anilmistryart.com for any request or commissions.
