Levi Hawken - Contemporary sculptor

Levi Hawken is a brutalist | modernist sculptor living and working in west Auckland. His practice includes sculpture in concrete, glass, wood and bronze as well as painting.As a skateboarder, Levi understands the undeniable attraction of the urban concrete landscape. His work responds to the forms and elements of this environment.In this very authentic conversation Levi takes us through his extraordinary life from early graffiti days and his world of skating to his appearances on TV and in film and the Nek Minute meme that made him famous, although not necessarily for all the right reasons. He speaks from the heart about experiences in his life that have affected the person he is, the way he works today and the art he makes. We discuss Levi's early work, how his first show came about and how he built his reputation as a serious artist. We talk about his current work the False Idols series and the Solv series and how his work is inextricably intertwined with skateboarding and urban forms. Levi describes the ideas behind his work and his process for making and how he feels about showcasing his work in a more commercial environment.This is an amazing story which will inspire young and old, giving you a true insight into the person and artist that is Levi Hawken.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Welcome and Introductions02:34 Childhood Memories and Early Influences04:11 High School Art Journey06:10 Discovering Graffiti and Skateboarding09:10 Pursuing Art and Skateboarding in Melbourne13:07 Transition to Professional Art and Design27:08 Life in Dunedin and Artistic Evolution45:27 The Impact of the 'Neck Minute' Meme52:37 Freestyling Shapes and Downhill Skateboarding53:24 Exploring Helmet Designs and Aero Helmets53:46 Collaborations and Exhibitions54:35 Landscaping and Concrete Sculptures55:47 Discovering Brutalism and Smaller Works56:25 Buffable Show and Permanent Art57:04 Challenges in the Art World58:39 Transition to Full-Time Artist59:19 Experimenting with Glass and Bronze01:02:10 Architectural Influences and Brutalism01:05:54 Urban Environment and Skateboarding Influence01:14:05 Large Scale Projects and Problem Solving01:23:32 Commercial Success and International Reach01:31:01 Reflections and Future Aspirations01:40:56 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSupport the showNgā mihi, thanks for listening! Follow CREATIVE CONNECTIONS on InstagramLearn more about Creative Connections and see images of each guests work and relevant links on our blog

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