10 Questions with… Selina Briggs (The Jelly Empire)

I'll be posting 10 Questions with... a number of artists who are taking part in the Aim, Destroy, Transform: Play for Change Toy Show , presented by Medialia Gallery & The Ethyr and taking place November 4-25 2017 in NYC.

1. Where are you originally from?

I'm originally from the UK, from a small town called Chapel-en-le-Frith. It's about an hours drive from Manchester, but I've been living New York for about 12 years and absolutely love it!

 

2. Who is your favorite artist (any artist, any medium)?

Oh wow! This question is a tough because I have so many. I don't really have a all-time favourite but I can name some of my current faves. I've always been a massive fan of Quentin Blake since reading Raold Dahl books when I was little; his illustrations make me happy. I'm also in love with Camilla d'Errico's neo-manga art style, Matt Dixons adorable robots, and a more recent discovery Camille Chew's mystic/mythology inspired artwork!

 

3. What was your favorite toy line as a child?

I played with any toy that was from a favourite cartoon.  I have 2 younger brothers so it was a lot of TMNT and Thundercats!

 

4. What's your most prized collectible?

I don't think I really have one. Recently I've started to get into buying more artwork over collectibles. The walls of my apartment are looking a little empty!

 

5. What was the last film you watched?

I think the last movie I watched at the cinema was Dr. Strange, but the last movie I watched at home was (for the 100th time) was Hot Fuzz!

 

6. Do you unbox and display or keep MIB (mint in box)?

I have no will power to leave MIB. Unbox everything!

 

7. What was the last book you read?

The last book I read was 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows' but the last comic book was a really funny graphic novel called 'Rat Queens'.

 

8. Star Trek or Star Wars?

Don't make me choose!  I love them both!

 

9. What motto/creed do you try to live by?

Goonies Never Say Die!

 

10. What was the inspiration behind the piece that you produced for the Aim, Destroy, Transform: Play for Change toy show?

I really love textures, especially weathered metals. The idea that time and environment can change the colour, and the feel of something, can be so beautiful. I wanted to apply that to my robots. Fresh out the factory they were probably shiny and clean and looked state of the art, but when neglected, forgotten about and left to the forces of nature and time, that shiny exterior decays and this transforms the robot itself into something else. It sounds sad but to me it's not. They evolved and became unique in appearance and continue to function amid all the stresses of time 🙂