Interview with Lang Leav

March 17th, 2008

We Love Lang Leav, and so can you, as long as you aren’t a teddy bear!

What is your name and where are you from?

My name is Lang Leav and I was born in a refugee camp in Thailand before moving to Melbourne til I was 5 years old. My family moved to Sydney and I’ve been based here ever since!

Where did you learn your craft?

I have been making art all my life but in the area I grew up, art was not considered feasible as a career choice. So I felt like it was a huge development for me, mentally as well as artistically when I began studying at the College of Fine Arts. It made me realise for the first time that a career in the creative industry was something I could actively pursue.

What is your artistic medium of choice? Why that medium?

I use pastels because I love the vibrancy I can achieve with them. I’d love to experiment with more mediums in the future.

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Have you always been focused in this particular area?

I have always quite dimensional and have dabbled in many disciplines. I’ve designed for the web, made furniture, worked in fashion, packaging and art direction. I love the challenge of being thrown into something new.

Whose work do you relate to most? Who inspires you?

If I had to pick someone out of the hat, it would be Tim Burton. He is an amazing storyteller and his work really captures your imagination. I relate to this because I like to tell stories in my work.

What is your Favourite Tim Burton Film?

That’s a tricky one, but I would have to say Edward scissor hands

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Do you feel growing up out west has hindered you in any way or made people look at your designs any differently?

I guess in general, my upbringing, has played a role in shaping the kind of work I do, because it was very strict so I would create stories through drawing and writing to escape the 4 walls. I don’t think it has made any difference in the way people to respond to my work, I think if anything it has been a source of inspiration because it is seen as a difficult path to pursue. I guess in a way I have shown that is very much possible to live your dreams no matter what background you are from.

Do you still have a teddy bear on your bed?

No I hate teddy bears

where can people buy your handywork?

www.akina.com.au

ll

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