High Artist Spotlight: Adam Engel
Engel is a very old machine, recently unearthed and refurbished, meant to translate ideas into pictures. It's working great so far, although there doesn't seem to be an off switch and it swears a lot.
We recently caught up with Engel after High Art 2022 to learn more about its most recent inspirations:
Where do you find your creative inspiration?
First, I exist; everything else seems to follow naturally from that.
Why do you do what you do?
Nothing has ever looked just one way to me.
Nothing has ever looked just one way to me.
What art/artist do you most identify with?
Escher for sure, and the Dadists. Reality has secrets for those that look, and humans make such a mess of things generally that it's worth adding some harmless nonsense to the ether to thin out the crap.
What themes do you pursue the most?
Pure philosophy, science and the continuing description of reality, self love and body positivity
What role does an artist have in society?
The same as anyone else: the one they choose. I make the pictures, it's up to everyone else to do their own thinking.
What is your artistic outlook on life?
Everything in context, and beware of absolutes: reality is never so well defined.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
It's better to fail running than it is to be right standing still.
It's better to fail running than it is to be right standing still.
Do you listen to music while you are creating? If yes, tell us your favorite song and artist.
Yes - Smoke, by Ben Folds
What's the best thing about being an artist?
I can understand anything that I can draw, and I've learned to draw a great many things.
I can understand anything that I can draw, and I've learned to draw a great many things.
What is your dream project?
I'd love to do concept work for something like a tabletop RPG or video game. I really enjoy thematic worldbuilding, and I enjoy the UI and UX aspects of those sorts of things. It's all about communicating concepts clearly.