Introspective work of Joseph Loughborough

Joseph Loughborough spent his formative years exploring the derelict boatyards and creeks of Portsmouth, on the south coast of the UK. Each work of art formed depicts movement, sexuality and emotion; attempting to grasp an understanding of the human condition. We caught up with Joseph ahead of his exhibition at The Pilgrm which can be seen here this summer!

How would you describe your artistic style in 5 words? Expressive - Graphical - Allegorical - Vibrant - Introspective

What was your route into art – is it something you have always loved from an early age, did someone guide you in that direction…? I can't say that anyone particularly guided me in that direction. It's just been something that I could get my teeth into at an early age, and it's always been a part of my life since. Scribbling, splashing and general creativity from the Lego days up! I remember my grandad had some great artbooks that fascinated me as a kid. Egon Schiele and Mantegna to Edward Gorey.  I guess you could say these imbued an interest in the arts.

Did you formally study within the arts? I studied Illustration at Portsmouth university. The course was enjoyable, but it felt like my work and process was more familiar to fine art than illustration. On the flip side, my practice was too illustrative to fit in with the fine art course. It seems like I have always been a bit of an outsider.

Where do you draw your inspiration from? So many different places - it varies from day to day. Sometimes it can come from just being out and about around the city. Absorbing the bustling streets and people larking around on them. Some days it can come from other artists, both classical, wandering around the National Gallery, or contemporary, scrolling around on Instagram! Other days from reading literature and poetry. I think one of my main artistic catalysts comes from my sketchbooks. I scribble around and jot musings in them pretty much every afternoon. Then, when I'm not sure what to begin a blank canvas with, I delve into these rambling visual archives.

What is your favourite piece of artwork by another artist and why? Oh so may favourite pieces. I have a new favourite artist on a daily basis but for the sake of the question I'm going to give you a classical, a modern and a contemporary artwork. Bruegels 'The fight between Carnival and Lent' for a classical piece is stunning for its epic social observation and Where's Wally factor. For a modern pick it has to be a Schiele piece. I'm torn between 'Death and the Maiden' and 'Levitation (Blind II)' both of which I have seen in Vienna and was duly gobsmacked by. Rae Kleins 'Zenith' for my contemporary piece straight off of Instagram. Her work emits some kind of ethereal hum.

What is your favourite piece of artwork you have produced and why? I think 'The Passengers' piece is one of my favourites. It ties together various motifs found in my work on a large drawing. The looseness of the characters rendered with charcoal and eraser coupled with the stark gold-leaf background. Its simple composition relates back to early Iconographic/Egyptian painting which has also been an influence in my body of work.

What would your advice be to young creatives? Persistence in your practice and daily habit are obviously very important but the main piece of advice I can give is to get to know other creatives... Put on shows togethers and develop projects together. Bounce ideas and collaborate. The buzzword would be 'Networking' but that always sounds so corporate and sterile.

How would you summarise The Pilgrm hotel in 5 words? Bespoke - Independent - Leafy - Creative - Atmospheric

What does an average day look like for you? Coffee and emails in the morning - then I will head out to a cafe and do some sketchbook work and journaling which is a very important part of my daily practice. The afternoon will be spent back in the studio working on whichever project is running at the time. Then in the evening I will grab my skateboard and cycle to a skatepark somewhere east or south east (London) and have a roll! When I'm too achy for that, it might just be hanging with close ones or an extended studio session...

And finally, what’s the top thing on your bucket list? Getting boozy with Francis Bacon...

You can find out more about Joseph via his website - www.josephloughborough.co.uk/