Interview with Munk One

Contemporary illustrator and fine artist Munk One is based in California, US. He’s particularly well known for work produced with major label music acts and has also worked with a number of the world’s best recognised brands.

Formally trained his expressive visual dialogue may at first appear dark, but it’s filled with undertones of politics, religion, the idea of mortality and a hint towards contemporary culture. Although there is also a brighter side, reflecting fun and a sense of humor. Both these elements seem to coexist and mix throughout much of his work both commercially and personally.

After many successful years of working full time within the apparel and merchandise industries, much of his knowledge and technical expertise has been gained from hands on experience. Since 2006 he’s focused on creating his own brand of art.

From iconic artist to iconic questions.–

1. What would you say is the most important theme in your work?
I would say the Japanese concept of “mono no aware”, literally “the pathos of things” used to describe the awareness of impermanence or transience of things, plays a big part of pushing my art in the direction of continual growth and understanding and appreciation of the moment.

Munk One

2. What’s most inspiring to your working process?
Music.

3. Have you any strange talents that influence the work you produce or the way you produce it?
Not that I know of. I’m not sure you can call drive a talent?

4. Which artist of the past would you resurrect to collaborate with and why?
Jim Henson. He was such a big part cultivating my imagination as a child through Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and all the other projects he worked on. I think it would have been really cool to collaborate with him personally.

5. Do you think your work is understood or misinterpreted and why?
Of course everyone views art through their own life and experiences and anything including art and ideas that are different and unknown can be scary to some people. So yes, sometimes my work can be misunderstood, but surprisingly not always in a bad way.

6. If you could decorate one place in the world what would it be and how would you do it?
I’d decorate Guantanamo Bay with the copies of the US constitution, the bill of rights and the declaration of independence, and finally paint the whole thing once it’s closed.

7. What to date has been your ‘cherry on the cake’ moment and what was it that got you there?
I don’t feel I have just one best moment, even though I’ve been doing this for a while now I still feel like I have so much I would like to do. I get to do things and work with people all the time that I never would have had a chance to without the support of friends, family, supporters and fans.