PROFILE: Ben Rak
BEN RAK // PRINTMAKING
Happenstance: What does pop art mean to you, and would you consider yourself a pop artist?
Ben: To me pop art is art that uses the iconography and symbolism of popular culture to deal with issues of day to day life. As well, it is art that breaks down the barriers between high and low brow culture. It is hard for me to consider myself a pop artist, as so much of the art work made today falls into that category. I think there is room for sub categories in the pop genre and I guess I would fall into one of them.
H: Tell us a little about what you’re showing in Hip Pop, and where you drew your inspiration for it.
B: The two works I’m showing in Hip Pop are part of a series I did called ‘Sub-culture Vulture?’. They are titled ‘Invert’ and ‘Misfit’ – depicting a skater and a punk. My aim is to raise questions about the relationship between conformity and distinction. All the images in the series portray members of subcultures that have been marketed to the masses. When looking at these images, which consist of patterns of designer fashion logos such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci, viewers may ask themselves whether the identity consumes the brands or the brands consume the identity.
By displaying fashion logos that no subculture members would wear, I am suggesting that the counterculture rebellion actually contributes to intensified consumerism, as opposed to resisting it.
H: Tell us a little about the screenprinting process, and what drew you to it.
B: I’ve always been into photography. In recent years I started getting more and more into printmaking – etching, relief and screenprinting. Screenprinting seemed to be the ideal medium for combining printmaking and my previous photographic experiences. I’m especially drawn to the ability to go large-scale and the multi color.
H: Do you have any tips, tricks or advice for young artists trying to get their work out there?
B: Find your unique niche style and be persistent.
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