Wrongbedroom: Weird Fiction and Fantasy

Snake skin, Toy Kaleidoscopes, Weird Fictional Characters, Fantasy, Glazed Ceramics and Early Manga are themes that run throughout @wrongbedroom’s work (AKA Justin Cooper). The characters and the style are what drew me into his art. Its original…. and well – its just super cool!

Justin Cooper is a multidisciplinary artist based in Sydney, Australia. His work is inspired by weird fiction and the captivating nature of strange imagery of vivid imagination. He has completed a residency in Paris at the International Cite Des Arts and was invited by Jam Projects to be part of a mural project in San Diego, California. Previous years include solo shows with AM Gallery, Sydney – Anna Pappas Gallery, Melbourne – Sydney Contemporary Art Fair, Sydney

A. Visually, I’m always thinking about the complexities of form and colour, particularly in the context of creating characters. To me – colour is the ultimate visual tool as it has the ability to lure the viewer in and keep their eyes moving around the picture plane. 

The work derives from multiply sources:

1: Ink line work from early Japanese prints and early manga.

2: I have always been fascinated by stained glass windows and the varied effect of the sun as it moves across the sky, causing the reflected colours to wash and wander.

3: The study of snake skin.

4: Toy Kaleidoscopes.

5: Weird fictional characters.

6: Glazed ceramic surfaces.

A. My next series is definitely a move away from the previous works. Although some elements will remain, my intention is to constantly evolve overtime. It’s important to question my own work, keep it challenging and not to get stuck in a way of thinking.

A. I create characters from weird, fictional virtual worlds. I’ve always liked the idea of misfits and weirdos existing and experimenting in their own space. Think of my characters as skins: the weirdest avatars on the virtual block.

A. My musical style is based on extreme experimentation. It’s an open book. I enjoy manipulating sounds through combining virtual and analog processes. The projects on YouTube and Bandcamp were created with virtual instruments and real instruments. I do enjoy the physical action of playing an instrument such as drums, guitar, etc. It’s just so wonderful how technology allows me to shape different sounds and explore the many possibilities. 

I’m currently experimenting with combining gifs and audio to create nft’s. I would like to mint an entire album at some stage. I do think blockchain will present huge potential for musicians.

A. The name is intended to evoke a sense of the uncanny. A bedroom is familiar, but a bedroom in a virtual world, full of strange things and weird avatars is unsettling. It is a place I shouldn’t be – but my curiosity drives me to take a peek, only to have that virtual door slam shut in my face with a neon sign saying, ‘Wrong Bedroom’. LOL

My last exhibitions in Sydney, Australia really opened up a new way of thinking for me as an artist. At AM Gallery I was encouraged for the first time to show my paintings, drawings and ceramics together. This clearly showed the dialog between each medium and defined me as a multidisciplinary artist. 

The Sydney Art Fair was interesting. I got to discuss my work with the general public who really appreciated the unique quality of the work, far more so than those involved in the traditional fine art system. I was always told by gallery owners (with the exception of AM Gallery), to be more like other popular commercial artists working with traditional techniques. That way of thinking kills the creative process. Thank God blockchain came along! It really is a revolution that was desperately needed to shake up the outdated fine art system.

A. I got kicked out of painting at art school and was forced to major in ceramics. It certainly worked out well in the end. I used to sculpt strange, abstract forms and developed different techniques to draw, paint, glaze and fire. The varied techniques I obtained while studying have now translated to my digital work. 

The kaleidoscope back drops comes from a desire to create a psychedelic atmosphere for my characters to exist in.

A. My first gallery experience was a funny one. I was part of a group show in Surry Hills, Sydney. During the opening night my painting fell off the wall, onto someone’s dog. The dog was a little upset. It grabbed the painting and dragged it across the gallery. The gallery owner yelled, ‘performance art’ and everyone laughed, including me. It was a terrible painting, that’s for sure, so I chose to see the humorous side of things. From that day onwards I always double check every hang.

A. I grew up enjoying Manga artists, Ozamu Tezuka, Kentaro Miura and Go Naggi; Japanese print makers, Kyasai Kawanabe and Yuji Hiratsuka; and the sounds of Mr Bungle, Melvins, early Aphex Twin and Square Pusher. 

Currently I’m enjoying the work of digital illustrators, Simon Cowell and Kilean Eng; sculpture and video artist Guan Xiao; interdisciplinary arts collective, Postcommodity; and the sounds of Melt Banana, Greys, No Tongues for Quiet People and Venetian Snares.

I only look at my own work to be critical and find new ways for my practice to evolve.

A. I am working on larger pieces for SuperRare. The themes of the works will be based on Weird Fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy. The new series of works are being created in Photoshop, Illustrator and Animate. I would really love to master VR Design as it has a big future especially in virtual worlds.

A. Kidmograph, Pak and Hackatao. It’s important to be realistic and not get greedy. Grow your price overtime without undervaluing what you do. Quality not quantity for longevity. Hackatao is a good example of building for the long term. Watching them grow within the space has been inspiring.

A. Sydney FC, Annandale Hotel, Japanese food. Izakayu Fujiyama in Surry Hills, Sydney is amazing.

A. I am looking to build my portfolio slowly with the highest quality work. It is my hope to grow an audience, while engaging and supporting this wonderful community of creatives and collectors.

My work is detailed and takes time so one or two platforms is about all I can deal with. My next series of works will be minted on SuperRare (Great Community).

Thanks wrongbedroom for the insights and sharing your influences – hope the momentum continues – love your style and look forward to the soon to come new drops!

Mentions: Hackatao, Pak, Kidmograph

ETH: 0x13e49cd3f314188032bed445a2f3de55f3669110