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mode of existence is also not compatible with collaborative practises and focuses artists on more individualistic aims like personal financial gain, rather than more worthwhile endeavours such as fostering civic responsibility within the many layers of community.
HM: Having trained at Wimbledon College of Art in Fine Art Painting how and when did film come into play as a medium?
The move to film came half way through my time studying at Wimbledon. Painting is not an effective way of communicating ideas, communicating anything in fact. Film, although naturally limited at times, is a more efficient medium for transferring ideas and passing criticism.
I think it is essential that Croydon and other boroughs make provisions for independent community Art spaces. Spaces like Matthews Yard need to exist to give emerging artists, like myself, opportunity to experiment, play and fail.
HM: You’re also the Co-Founder of WMFU, tell us more about this initiative and the works you’ve put together?
Due to feeling disappointed, disaffected and concerned by the commercialisation and professionalisation of our art education and the art world as a whole, I set up the Wimbledon Maverick Film Unit (WMFU) in 2011 with Dominic Letschka and Christopher Lawrence. The WMFU was set out, as part of a larger project, to rehabilitate the principle components of Amateurism, pairing extreme ambition with low levels of skill, time and finance. With the WMFU we attempt to create an environment for creativity which puts emphasis on collaboration, endeavour and fun.
HM: Another initiative you’re behind is ideaforanartwork.tumblr. com. These are literally ideas for artwork…but who for? The ideas are for whoever wants to use them, we imagined the site as a resource for artists who are suffering from creative block. At its heart it’s a tongue in cheek critique of art language and the spurious meanings some artists attach to their work. We do however come up with some genuinely exciting ideas, and some truly terrible ones. Follow @IDEA_FOR_AN_ ART for daily ideas.
HM: And what about TIME GHOST GELATO? What’s that all about?
TIME GHOST GELATO is a research project, which poses the question ‘How can artists engage with their local communities?’. TIME GHOST GELATO sets out to define the terms of the query, set about investigating the surrounding conversations, document current beliefs and ultimately answer the question. TIME GHOST GELATO through
collaboration with a wide range of creatives, academics, community builders and local residents of Tooting, will try to develop strategies, language and platforms as a response to the question and will experiment with these potential options.
HM: So what’s up next for Warren Andrews and the WMFU collective?
My attention is now mainly focused on TIME GHOST GELATO, getting it ready to become visible in this year’s Wandsworth Arts Festival, which I am involved in organising. The current project I am concentrating on is the production of a publication on ‘Plastics’, which I am putting together in collaboration with product designer Matthew Brice. Our aim is to present a well rounded view of the conversation and issues surrounding the broad spectrum of materials that fit under the banner of Plastics. We wish to encourage awareness of the unnecessary damage caused to the environment and people’s health by the misappropriate use and disposal of many plastics. However we also want to celebrate the many positive uses of Plastics and their role in the democratisation of products, points that are not always acknowledged by those representing the green agenda.
www.wimbledonamateursociety.
co.uk, ideaforanartwork.
tumblr.com,
twitter.com/ WarrenAndrews89
• Interview: Enam G Images: Ernest Simons
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