Jack Savage is a fine art photographer and digital artist. Born in Northampton, England (1980) – He was educated at Nottingham University, where he carries an MA in American Studies and Film. Winner of over 100 international professional photography awards -he produces a unique brand of artworks using the varying mediums of studio portraiture, landscapes, street photography, mixed media photographic art, and digital psychedelic creations from what he labels “His Unconscious Soul”. Savage’s multi-faceted works have gained international recognition and acclaim – resulting in several prestigious international prizes, including most notably The Pangea Prize from Siena Photo Awards, Gold from the Shatto Gallery – Los Angeles, Photographer of the Year from The Spider Awards – Beverly Hills California and Gold from Tokyo Foto Awards. Over the last few years, he has exhibited his artworks internationally, in countries such as Italy, France, Greece, Hungary, Germany, the USA and throughout the UK. Jack is currently represented by The Zari Gallery, London, UK, The Blackline Gallery, San Francisco, USA, and ThePassePartout Gallery, Milan, Italy.
Self Taught or Art School?
I am a self-taught photographer, mixed media and digital artist, although I did go to university to study American History and Film and carry an MA from Nottingham University. I hope that my work is a by-product of this training in a completely different discipline.
How would you describe your style?
I have many different styles and facets to my work, which are always evolving and morphing into something new. I would describe my style as bold, graphic, and painterly. I first came to prominence through monochromatic photo manipulations that were heavily influenced by the cinema of Film Noir (1920 –1950). Noiristic themes of subterfuge, mystery, femme Fatales, forbidden sexuality and criminological storytelling converge and splinter off in differing imaginative realms.
I then moved on to producing my own brand of psychedelic – krautrock inspired LP art – incorporating elements of photographic montage- that were inspired by the musical genre of Psychedelia from Germany during the late 1960s and early 1970s and Italian Film music of the same period. Music that was innovative, challenging and experimental – pushing boundaries musically and artistically. This is my contemporary take on the era! The LP covers of this period were outlandish, daring and colourful in scope, a reflection of the progressive and experimental Rock music, an era that produced a great era of bands such as Can, Faust, Guru Guru, Neu and Kraftwerk!
I also haven’t forgotten my roots within conventional street photography – and enjoy nothing more than venturing out with my camera to document new places and people through a traditionalist monochromatic lens. Here I am mainly looking to document a raw, naturalistic and visceral element to the towns and cities of England.
If you could own one piece of art what would it be?
If I could get my hands on one piece of art it would have to be an original “Shadowman” piece from Richard Hambleton. I absolutely adore his work and was quite devastated once he passed away in 2017. I am also an avid lover of black music, particularly Jazz – and have always admired the music and paintings of Miles Davis, which in my opinion remain criminally undervalued within the art world.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
The artistic process usually begins with a camera, either with studio portraits, street photography or some landscapes. I use a variety of different cameras to capture images before I subject them to the psychedelia of my mind in Photoshop and on canvas. My recent experimentation with paints and acrylics, and introduction of different mediums have certainly proved challenging to say the very least!
Luckily, I am an Adobe certified expert in Photoshop CC and teach from my studio, so in that respect – I am able to articulate and perfect my ideas. The overall goal is the creation of a multi-layered piece with deep psychological relevance to my own life, spiritual aesthetic and experience.
Is narrative important within your work?
Narrative and storytelling are of paramount importance within my oeuvre of artworks. Historically cinema and film remain my greatest inspiration and influence. I have been a movie buff since childhood – and my work is centred around the creation of my own cinematic visions, based on my own life and experience. I also have a great love for particular cinematic genres such as Noir, Horror and Sci-Fi, striving to feed my unconscious creativity, to produce something unreal from the imagined future. It is this trust in the unconscious process when it comes to creating art that takes my work in many exciting directions.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
My most cherished artists are – in no particular order -Richard Hambleton, for his pioneering and dark brand of 1980s street art which, in his own words “painted the town black” with shadow men. I love the idea of Hambleton’s shadow being literally infused within his canvas –the streets of New York city – creating seminal and timeless paintings that still remain relevant, modern and street today. I am also a great admirer of Miles Davis for his exquisite paintings, bold, brutal and exquisite in their expression of the black experience. Like myself – Miles was self-taught. His style is right up my alley – sharp, bold with bright colours on dark backgrounds with characters that seemingly want to escape from the very canvas that they are painted upon. Other artists I admire include Basquiat, Geiger and Haring.
What or who inspires your art?
I have a multitude of inspirations that inform my artworks. The first love as I have explained earlier, is cinema, in particular, the Golden age of Hollywood and cinema of Film Noir. Another inspiration comes from my prior career as a rare record LP dealer/seller and my fascination with psychedelic art and music. I strive to create modern art imbued with the same free-thinking, innovative and experimental approach as that of the musical genre of “Krautrock” (1967-1975).
Born out of the wreckage of Post War Germany, “Krautrock” or “Kosmische Musik” is a genre of experimental and innovative rock music played by artists blending elements of Psychedelia, Electronica and various other types of Avant-Garde influences. The music itself pushed artistic and musical boundaries by being challenging and experimental in scope. The album LP covers from this period were outlandish, daring and colourful in scope, a reflection of this era of Rock music that produced such great bands as Can, Kraftwerk, Guru Guru and Faust.
My work also pays tribute to the ghosts of our shared cinematic past and the cinema of Film Noir (1920-50). Monochromatic tones and shadows are prevalent – particularly among the protagonists themselves. A modern contemporary take, on the traditional Noiristic elements of mystery, femme Fatales, inescapable darkness, menace & murderous plotlines.
These elements of the cinema of Film Noir make up an integral part of my work, creating mystery and Ambiguous criminological plotlines/storytelling helping to fuel the viewer’s imagination here, representing the shadowy darkness within these noir fuelled portrait, landscape & street manipulations – a range of photographic styles all embedded with my signature “Noir” aesthetics. I want my audience to piece together and dissect this cinema within my unconscious mind.
My influences are markedly more cinematic than photographic. The directorial ghosts of Preminger, Hitchcock, Welles, Wilder and Ford are often winked at and embellished upon within this exhibition. I endeavour to create these manipulations with a distinct traditionalist feel, harking back to this golden age of cinema within contemporary photographic fine art.
Where’s your studio and what is it like?
My studio is a large factory building located in Northampton, England. I occupy the entire basement of the building – which is a large and sprawling space – perfect for running workshops, training students and the creating of conceptual artistry. I have a large well-equipped photography studio and computer area from which to teach classes to students of all abilities.
Do you have any studio rituals?
I don’t really have any particular studio rituals other than being extremely punctual for work. I am a stickler for preparation too – so an early start proves very beneficial for my classes and workflow.
What are you working on currently?
The latest series I have been working on in 2022 is called Valkyries -Delving deep into Norse and Germanic Pagan mythology, my aim being to produce a cohesive series of digital works to creatively express the power of the “Valkyrie” – female goddesses who were sent to choose those who may die in battle and those who may live.”(Chooser of the Slain)”. My focus is especially drawn towards Heroine Valkyries said to guard the ships and lives of those close to them. Old Norse and Old Germanic literature made references to purely supernatural Valkyries and also to human Valkyries with certain supernatural powers, to enable this choice between who lives and dies.
Where can we buy your art?
My art is available for sale via the flowing sites
https://blacklinegallery.com/collections/jack-savage
https://zarigallery.co.uk/art-collective-influx-jack-savage-dominic-abbey/
You will also be able to view Jack Savage’s work at FLUX Exhibition – The Design District and meet the artist himself. Get your free tickets here.
Read more artist Q&As on The FLUX Review Blog
