Duty Gorn interview

Unfortunately it is not common place to see a contemporary artist become successful based solely on raw talent, and not a deeply influenced push. While searching in the vast jungle of contemporary art, it is difficult to arrive at such artist that has such a high technical level with such strong expressiveness contained within his work.

Well seeking out only the best, we stumbled upon Guido Belloni aka Duty Gorn, 27, born and raised in Milan. At the age of 14, he discovered the passion for painting. Nowadays he is presented in different European galleries such as Barcelona, Amsterdam, Zurich, Wien, as well as several Italian cities in institutional buildings like Triennale, Delle Erbe Theater, le banque, etc.

Moreover he has had the opportunity to show in events like Breil, Vertu, Monblanc, Salone del Mobile 2006 and 2007 not only in Italy, but others as well. Important to note, was his winning Campari and Volkswagen design competition.

When viewing his work, the thing that will immediately jump off the canvas is with such few elements he is able to recreate an expression of his subject identical to the photo quality creating a modern, but expressive painting.

Another strong point to his art, only adding to his talents, and versatility with the most sophistication and uncanny eye for modern interior design, of course it can also be seen in, and respected in baroque environment and furthers.

Duty Gorn has courteously gave an interview for Design42day, which you can read below.

1) Does Duty Gorn has a specific meaning or did you just like how the letters fit together?

My first tag war Gorn, I chose that name because I used to particularly like it, but in Milan in ’95 there was a crew and my name was pretty similar to them, so I changed the initial letters. In ’99 I wanted to change so I decided to have a second tag “Duty”. That allowed me to recreate a new lettering evolution

2) I read from your biography that you started drawing at 14 years old, what materials did you use to draw?

At the age of 14, I used to have a classmate whose taught me the elements to start painting. In the beginning I was painting on the street, and was just making tags and “trow up” which are big letters with only an outline. In ’95 I made my first drawing in “hall of fame”; then I kept on drawing following different steps, from street art to the hall of fame. I used to paint both legal and illegal paintings. Of course, I have became addicted to this passion. I never thought that it could one day become a day job.

3)

What would you like people to think while looking at one of your pictures or paintings?

I d like that they would understand the technique, there is quite a few people who do not understand, they believe my work is just a Photoshop reproduction or that maybe it’s a slide projector work. Which puzzles me, and I am unsure what to think, I guess sometimes there’s a lot of ignorance about what I do.

4) Which technique do you use for your work(s)?

I define my paintings as an evolution. I apply some letters to change the monotony, I invert the colors or make a fusion with the contrasts; using different collage techniques and usually paint on the same painting with acrylic and tempera.

I use the tempera for light colors like yellow, sky-blue, or white – but for stronger colors like red, black, blue I use the acrylic because it gives a more prominence, drawing together, and defining the work.

5) From your projects there is a particular piece with Michael Stipe (voice of REM) what was it about?

I was contacted from a Vogue fashion editor and he asked me if would be able to make a portrait of Michael Stipe for a service. So, I made a few sketches which were approved. I then made a 2×3 meter portrait. I actually still have it at home! It really was a good experience.

6) The Edie Sedwick tribute was also very nice! Why did you decide to make this one?

Edie Sedwick has always fascinated me, for her story. Even after she made movies with Andy Warhol, the style she brought to life, it really became a character. Honestly, I wanted to do something that would memorialize her, in the best way I can do, which in this case was with a sincere portrait.

7) What do you think are the difficulties and the obstacles that an artist has to face, to rise up and stand out in Italy?

Milan is a hard and competitive city, the art spaces are not yet released from the context of payment events. You need to have a good background, that happens when you show yourself in a gallery or an expository spot. I think that by continuing to make expositions and attending events you can emerge. If you keep under the radar, and do not explore these avenues, you will lose out on the most interesting things.

Do you know of other foreign countries where artists are more accepted, and in turn, it is easier to gain notability?

I have been in Vienna, they found my works through the web and they called me to show in a gallery in the center because my painting style was close to the context of the other artists who were exhibiting in that particular gallery. However, I ca not say if there is an easier situation, by now I can just tell you that in Milan, a lot of galleries just show artists who are already very well known.

9) Can you offer three pieces of advice for an artist just staring out?

Paint, paint, and if you are not a perfect, become it! You need to start to gain experience on your own, and soon enough, just like that, you will begin to notice the changes.

10) You came back last week from an exhibition in Poland, how was it?

Yes, I have been in Bratislava, I was a guest for a Puzzle4Peace event, and with me there was also the sculptor Barbara Crimella and the Association Cubart from Cuba. It was a great experience. I was drawing in a historic palace in the center of the city. At the event the national tv for the interviews and the major promoter of the exhibition were all present.

11) What do you like to do when you are not painting?

When I am not painting I usually work on my graphics. I try to keep in touch with people, searching between several magazines or websites that could be interesting. I like to walk, you can see me walking in the city, it gives the chance to think, to elaborate, maybe even listening to the music.

I go every two weeks in a bookstore in downtown to check the latest visual design books which have arrived from abroad. I also collect night clubs flyer’s and post cards. And, not to forget, or leave it out but I love music and theater.

12) Can you reveal to us something about your next projects?

I am preparing an exhibition, my goal is to join two different working styles in the same picture. Creating the fusion of two different styles, but unified in the same context. I ll make the visual side of the project, then will integrate the picture with some lettering, creating a unique work.

For this project I will collaborate with another artist named “Once”. He is a writer too from ’95. On the 20th of November, we will be in Via Orseolo 7, Milan. The exhibition continue until the 20th of December.

13) If we would like to buy one of your pictures, how do we go about doing it?

For any information, or picture requests, you can send an e-mail to: [email protected]