Tilteed

Artist Interview: C86

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello! I’m Matt Lyon, aka C86, and I’m a graphic artist and doodler based in London, UK. I love all things colourful and enjoy sharing my slightly oblique imagination to the world.

So much of your work is about a bold explosion of pattern and color. What inspires you to work in these motifs?

I used to create work that was very monochromatic, but as soon as I introduced colour to the mix I never looked back. Nowadays I like playing with all manner of colour combinations having always admired the work of artists such as Paul Klee and Howard Hodgkin. In terms of patterns, my visits to Japan and China have bought a wealth of amazing inspiration.

You’re quite the audiophile as well, from what I’ve gathered. Is that something you engage in creating as well, or simply a passion you enjoy as a spectator?

As soon as I start working, my iPod fires into action. I mostly listen to electronica and anything with good beats and bass, ranging from classic dub, 80s house and electro to drum n bass, breakcore and dubstep. The patterns and layers of sequencing in the music seem to compliment my approach to work quite well. I’ve recently started putting together some mixes of my favourite tunes in the same way that I used to make mixtapes back in the 80s and 90s, now available to download from my website. At the moment I’m designing the artwork for Swede:art’s debut album, and in the future I’d love to collaborate with some of my favourite musicians creating visuals to compliment their sound.

A time machine lands you back in the “British Invasion.” Whose merch do you really want to design?

I wish someone would hurry up and invent a time machine because there are so many places I’d love to visit. Leaving Martin Sharp behind in London, I’d head straight to San Francisco c.1966 and start hanging out with Victor Moscoso to design posters for The Fillmore and Avalon Ballroom. What a heady mix of sex, drugs and creativity, fuelling wild artwork full of insane colours, patterns and typography!

If you weren’t in art, what would you be most apt to do instead?

I only started working fulltime as an artist just under 2 years ago after spending a good few years teaching graphic design and photography to 16-18 year-olds. I really enjoyed teaching but felt that I needed to take the plunge and follow my passions. I’d be happy to teach again, though perhaps more at university level or as a visiting lecturer.

If we want to check out more awesomeness from you, where would you suggest we head to?

There’s my website > http://www.c8six.com

Then there’s my Flickr > http://www.flickr.com/photos/c86

I’m also on Twitter > http://www.twitter.com/c86

And Facebook > http://www.facebook.com/mattlyon

And lastly the rest > http://www.flavors.me/c86

Any final words for the world?

Look to the future and keep it surreal!