***The Progressing Self, oil painting by Indy Chonk***

I speak with London-based artist Indy Chonk about the unifying theme in his work he calls “The Faceless Man” and how his work as a psychiatric nurse helps inform his artistic talents as an oil painter.

Tell me about your background - how did you come to be an artist?

Most people looking at my work will often reply positively with “you are talented”, but I would always respond back with “it’s something that I had just stuck at…” This is how I often describe the background of my art. Despite not going to art school, and only learning some basics through my secondary years of school, and A-level art I feel I have come a long way; albeit, the journey is still yet to continue. I have always loved art. Most of my school workbooks always consisted of doodles and drawings. In addition, being young and at times rebellious, I also found a way to express myself through graffiti during those years. But, most importantly, I have been fortunate enough to keep this passion of mine for painting ongoing. I managed to schedule-in any time available to think about ideas, create, sketch, and to get my ideas onto canvas as soon as possible. Presently, although my actual career is as a Psychiatric Nurse in London, I have managed to infuse both my employment and my passion for painting together which is evident through the body of my work.

What is your preferred medium? What do you like about it?

I really do love painting in oils as for me there is something totally beautiful about this medium. Since I started painting, I have always used oil paints, but thankfully in recent times due to YouTube, and easily accessible information I have come to understand oil painting a little bit more. Needless to say, there is still a lot more to learn with this particular medium. Painting in oils is exciting, and I love the journey of constantly shaping and re-adjusting of my work to reach the end product. Personally speaking, oils for me are more vibrant, and in comparison, to acrylic whereby I find the slower drying time allows me to re-work certain areas. I enjoy the fluidity of the paint, especially when added in additional mediums such as paint thinner/linseed oil, and of course the layering aspect, where I now have started to underpaint prior to carrying out my work. It is all a process and sometimes it's about getting lost on that journey and somehow return with a finished, magnificent piece of work.

What ideas are you exploring in your work?

The main theme in my artwork consists of ‘The Faceless Man’. An individual without the features of a face, i.e. nose, mouth, but with only headphones on. This is my primary focus, and what I believe to be an ongoing project of oneself. The face is never fully constructed, but nor is this important, as it is truly to look beyond this and into the deeper realm of the mind which holds the most significance. The headphones also play an integral part in my work as it represents not just listening and awareness through music, but to a wider context of listening and awareness through life itself. Music is also integral to my work because I feel without music, we will be lost, saying that even when listening to music we are lost in the beauty of it. Music captures our feelings and sometimes it doesn’t even need lyrics. The beat and symphonies alone can penetrate your emotions. It is through this recurrent theme of the faceless man that I am also able to bring in aspects of my work as a psychiatric nurse. I have worked with patients with various mental health conditions and as a team, we would always want the best for our patient's care. Having seen what some people go through, whether being a patient or through life experiences, I feel my work offers a story of hope and deep spiritual motivation to be the best individual you can be.

Tell me about your artistic process.

In secondary school, my art teacher would often begin the class with the quote “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” These famous words have stuck with me ever since. Although, I don’t take this advice much when painting portraits, but more so with my own creative ideas (The Faceless Man). I gain ideas through experiences such as my work as a Psychiatric Nurse, self-development books, podcasts, nature, psychology theories, and philosophical talks or through general daily life experiences. Sometimes I would just get into bed drifting into sleep, and suddenly I'm bombarded with ideas- I rush out of bed (one day 12:00 am) to quickly sketch a simple idea (no detail required, only the gist); And, from here I would build upon that idea by sketching, researching things, looking at body postures/movement of drawing figures/family/friends/online, YouTube videos on particular theories, art painting tips, and gaining inspiration through music. At times, I would have an overall theme (for example, depression), but other times just little ideas (like two fingers jumping on a cloud) that I need to somehow puzzle together to form the main theme. I have many ideas backlogged, but I try to complete one painting at a time so I personally know I have nurtured this idea from the beginning, to see it grow till the very end- a finished masterpiece.

Can you talk a bit about the evolution of your practice and style?

I always like to tell people my journey, because I used to paint mostly anything and everything I saw online. Until one day (around 2012 I believe), I went to an art exhibition by myself. I showed artists some of my work on my phone, and kindly requested some artist’s advice. One artist (@benlevyart) provided me with solid well-grounded advice which I took away with me instantly and believe it or not, it had changed the course of my artwork. He said to me, my portfolio (images on my mobile) shows I can paint, but there was no story or connection to it, and that in fact was for me to find and showcase. So, going back home and afterward the following days/weeks/months/years I reflected inwards and posed that question directly to myself. I have always loved things about the mind, meditation, deep meaning of life, music and it was all these things that I brought with me to where I am now with my art- The Faceless Man.

***The Hand of God, oil painting by Indy Chonk***

Which artists do you look to for inspiration?

I always have to bring it back to Salvador Dali. The first-ever surreal work I came across was ‘Galatea of the Spheres’ by the genius Salvador Dali. I can recall at that precise moment being blown away by the sheer magnitude of creativity within his work that I was holding. I knew from within my heart that this was one of the connecting puzzles for me. Thereafter, I began to link my own thoughts, ideas, and explore unique ways of illustrating this onto a canvas. One of his favourite quotes that I love is “Every painter paints the cosmogony of himself”.

Which artists do you enjoy at the moment?

There are several artists which I am really fond of at the moment whom I follow on Instagram. They include Brian Kirhagis, Anthony Hernandez, Aniekn Udofia, and Maria Petroff. All of them are unique in their individual ways, but also contemporary to today’s current society. In particular, I love what Brian Kirghagis created, whereby he infused his style of work with Dali’s famous pieces such as the melting clock, but with a unique individual twist of his own.

What is the most memorable thing someone has said about your work?

One memorable message I received was on Instagram was along the lines of… "I really love that your work makes me think so much". When I read this message, I recall it striking the note of a job well done for me. I felt a great sense of pleasure and admiration from that response. It's one thing on Instagram liking work, but when people take the time out to comment, or even direct message (DM) it is even more worth it. My work's aim is to captive my viewers. I want them to gaze deeply and self-reflect in a moment of time in their life, whereby they can link and relate to my work. I believe my artwork is not to get into the heart of the reader, but into the deep realms of their mind.

What are you working on now?

Although this year has been tough for many of us, again I have managed to stick with the art. I am presently working on two intriguing art pieces. One is held closely to me, and my family roots. I aim to not only display the struggles that are currently happening in India with farmers, but also to portray the sheer braveness of those people. The second art piece will illustrate the difficulties healthcare professionals have experienced through this covid lockdown, but importantly showing the overarching aim - love. Additionally, this year I have been fortunate enough to launch a part of my website- the viewing side. But, now moving onwards I will carry on to include a store to my site, whereby I'd be working with a printing firm to deliver the best quality prints available for purchase. This year, I would love to exhibit my work so viewers will be able to see in-person the original works at hand, and an opportunity for me to discuss my work, whilst also meeting intriguing people from all walks of life.

Indy Chonk