Anil Mistry is a UK based mixed media artist who focuses on creating fresh new interpretations of urban landscapes. Using source imagery from his travels around the world, Anil combines photography with mixed medias such as spray paints, stencils, acrylics and screen printing. These surreal and evocative collages feature stylistically unusual, misfit and often overlooked elements from cityscapes, environments and everyday objects. He playfully juxtaposes different elements to create rich new landscapes and settings - each with their own unique narrative.

We ‘snuggled up’ with Anil to learn more about his creative process and inspirations….

Please tell us a bit about yourself and the journey you have taken to becoming an artist…

Growing up I was drawing all the time. I began to experiment in my late teens with typography, graphic design and photography, making gig/show flyers for the bands I played in. I was engrossed in the process of how to get the desired result of a flyer by finding imagery and layering it using photocopiers, scissors, glue and Lettraset transfers. It was time consuming and often rough around the edges, but I have always loved that aesthetic - it always seems more natural and real.

Later, software such as Photoshop and Illustrator and DTP software became my tools of choice for compositions. Enjoying the speed and flexibility I started a career in digital graphic design. But as often happens, the commercial environment and restrictive rules and guidelines stifle the more inherent creative flow.

Quite a few years later I picked up paint brushes for what felt like the first time, practiced with spray paints and stencils, and learned how to screen print.  I now create mixed media collage art using these tools combined with my own photography from trips around the world. 

Are there any people, events, or experiences which shaped your practice?

I think it was an accumulation of events. After starting a ‘real job’ in graphic design I ended-up more in managerial roles spending more time on spreadsheets and documents than photoshop. After my attempt to make it as a musician also faded away I found myself in a non-creative place. I missed making things, producing something for real and holding it in my hands. It took me a long time to work out what was missing!

Tell us about your studio practice. How do you create your artworks and what does a day in the life of Anil look like?

Like many artists I still have the day job and juggle art, work and family around each other. When it comes to art and being creative it can be spurred on by a thought, something I see, an old photo and the desire to make to something. I work digitally to get a rough idea and layout. I often have 3 or more rough designs on the go at any one time. Some can be in this rough digital state for months where I tinker with things before I eventually feel it’s time to bring the art to life. Then it comes to making the art for real. I know the process I take will bring nuances and differences to the original plan which is mostly exciting (unless things go really bad!).

Getting the colours right is key for each piece. Once I have that the work becomes all about creating stencils, cutting paper and spray painting. Then each layer is screen printed on with the same screen. This is followed by cutting tearing and making the final layout usually on paper but more frequently on boards.

Where and how do you source the imagery for your artworks?
99% of the time I take all of the photos that feature in my work. To me that feels more authentic.  I was lucky enough to travel a bit with work so I used whatever spare time I had exploring and taking photos that I felt could work in a future art piece somewhere. Then when back home I would sort through them all and find my favourites.

What do you hope that your work communicates to the world?

A couple of things. One is that Art can come in many forms. Two: that it encourages people to look up at the world around them and take notice of the seemingly insignificant things that they take for granted. I like to include these elements in my work when I can.

What is your ‘Je ne sais quoi’? That special something that makes your artwork unique?

I don’t know. I think most artists want to be original but that is hard and I would question what does ‘original’ actually mean. I think the combination of colours, paints, textures, torn and layered paper, screen printing and original photography makes my work stand out,

What are your current obsessions, fascinations or favourite things?

I make a lot of landscapes but I want to expand into creating art around single objects - maybe more close-up photography. Still not sure how that will pan out but it will come for sure!

How was lockdown, artistically? Did you find it a challenge, or was it a refreshing change?

I found myself with more time on my hands having not to commute anywhere so that was good. I had to also look closer to home in terms of taking original photos. I did create 9 artworks based on photography from London as it was close-by and I could occasionally sneak out. I had wanted to do that for a while so this was an opportunity.

What was the first piece of art that moved you? What was it about it that grabbed you?

I saw the Lobster Telephone by Salvador Dali in a museum on a school trip. I bought a postcard of it and it was by my desk for years. I can’t remember why I bought it but I thought it was cool. Seeing something so unusual like that at an early age was fascinating to me.

If you could choose three pieces of work from Artsnug to ‘snuggle up with’ which would they be?’

The three new original pieces based on Walthamstow that I have created just for ArtSnug! Here they are…

You have the chance to hop into a time machine and join any historical art movement. Which do you go back to and why?

I would probably like to go to Warhol’s Factory, make art and hang out! I think it would have been a lot of fun (and very pretentious).

Do you have any advice for people just starting their art collection?

Go with your gut feel of what looks good to you. I think you have to love the artwork, even if it’s something you have decided to invest in.

Is there anything else you would like admirers of your work to know?

Yes, that they have got a good eye for cool and original artwork ;-)

SHOP ANIL’S WORK