We’re fascinated by the process as much as the product. Could you walk us through your creative process from concept to completion?
I usually start my collecting images and designing the posters I want to use. From there, I’ll sometimes draw up a rough sketch on paper and then take that into illustrator to get a rough mock up of how the collage may look if I put posters in certain spots. It rarely ends up looking like the draft but it gives me a rough plan to start off with. Not all my work is done like this, sometimes it’s completely made up as I go, but most of the time I start off with a rough draft. I just layer and tear the posters away until I’m happy with how it looks. Then I’ll add either aerosol paints or solid markers on top of the collage.

People often discuss the relationship between artist and space and people love to see inside an artist’s creative space. How does the physical space in which you create affect your output?
I’m a pretty tidy person so I like to have the space relatively clean and tidy when I’m working. Too much mess makes me anxious and I can’t relax and be fully creative. Right now though, the studio is a mess, as I haven’t really had the time to clean up properly because I’ve been busy working on the pieces for the show. It’s slowly getting to me, so a big clean up is due once I’ve shipped all the work out.

Music is a big part of Wester; we like to curate playlists for every exhibition, and it often plays a big part in setting the tone and pace in the studio. What’s on your playlist while you work and how does it influence the mood of your pieces?
A lot of Nipsey Hussle, Russ, Deftones, MGK, I love pop punk haha. My playlists are pretty random, most rap, some punk, some grunge, some EDM. Pretty much anything that makes me feel good. I need to be feeling good to be able to create work I’m really happy with. I know a lot go people like to listen to really chill music when they work, but I need music with energy.

We’re always interested in the diverse methods that artist use. Are there any unusual techniques that might play a key role in your works?
I wouldn’t say they’re unusual but obviously layering and tearing posters play a key role in all my works.

Inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places. Can you share an unusual source of inspiration that has surprised you with the impact it has had on your work?
Again, to me this isn’t unusual but maybe to others it is. I’ve been fascinated and documented street posters for ever, without knowing that it would turn into something one day. I guess it’s my roots in graffiti that drew me to this posters, The chaotic look, just got me. I’m not super into really polished designs so this to me was perfect. It was something new as I’ve never seen work like this before into I started getting more into it and connecting with other artists who share a similar style / process. I never thought I’d be so into these posters that I would pursue a career in art inspired by these. It was just something I liked looking at. The halftone patterns came from my time working in screen printing, again I loved the look of those fine dots to create an image. It was perfectly imperfect.

Many artists are deeply influenced by their environments. How does your geographical location or cultural background shape your artistic expressions?
I guess growing up in Melbourne, you’re surrounded by different cultural back grounds. My main one being Chinese, because of my family. I was always drawn and felt more connected to my Asian roots compared to me Australian roots. Very greatly that Melbourne is a multicultural city. Meeting knew people from different cultures can sometimes spark ideas and inspiration for new works. Lately I’ve been trying to incorporate my Chinese side but using images of Asian women in my work. There’s something really beautiful about that.

Do you have a piece with a particularly meaningful backstory or significant value? Could you share its story with us?
No not really. Each piece is more of a bunch of stories but together some pieces like the Flowers pieces are just my way of showing positivity and happiness in the work. The more photo heavy pieces are almost documentation of the city I’d been to while making the pieces. If it’s a heavy type based piece then the lyrics used would share a story or again, positive, heart break, dreams. I want to inspire people and show them that there’s not just one way to live life anything is possible.

Looking forward, where do you see your practice going in the next few years? Are there new mediums, themes or challenges you’re eager to explore?
I’d really like to get into make bigger works, not so much murals, although they’re fun, my main focus is in the studio. So Larger scale collages. I’d like to get into making sculptures at some point. I don’t know what but It looks fun. I’ll continue to make skateboards, and introduce new materials to collage. Some t-shirts here and there and then photography books.

The art world is coming a bit more collaborative. Is there an artist you would love to collaborate with, and what would you hope to create?
Oh there’s too many! I really like JR so to work on something with him would be a dream. Also Jesse Draxler, that would be super cool too.. There’s a lot of artists I admire and look up to but If I met them and the vibe wasn’t there, then I’m not sure I’f like to work with them. I still very much like streetwear and the culture, so to collaborate with brands I respect would be great.