Creative Thursday with Fergus Dunnet

This week's Southside creative extrordinaire is Fergus Dunnet a talented painter, maker of objects and ex-street magician based at the southside Studios just off Victoria Road.

SSH: What do you do?

Ferugs: I am a painter (www.fergus-dunnet.weebly.com), but i earn my living working collaboratively with other artists and theatre makers. I set up Ordinary Adventures (www.ordinaryadventures.com) with Angie Bual, we make small scale games which are tactile and which interact with audiences in a personal way. I also work with Theatre Modo as a designer and workshop leader, often on large projects involving young people.

SSH: Where did you study?

Fergus: After studying at Glasgow School of Art I got a job making paintings for hotels and bars, and my own practice burnt out. I left for Spain and busked as a street Magician for two years with my partner who is a clown. When we came back to Glasgow I started a job working for Theatre Modo giving art and circus workshops for young people. This I really enjoy, and it has given me the time and money to get my own practice back into shape and to pursue other projects, like Ordinary Adventures.

In my painting work i use old horror film imagery to look at the isolation and humour of horror characters and stereotypes. I enjoy the directness of the emotions and expression which horror film portrays and the almost ridiculously serious nonsense they concern themselves with. There is something in the failed attempt to terrify us that makes us laugh instead, i can identify with that failure and fear of being laughed at. In collaboration with Angie Bual I make interactive games, and these film sources, as well as sci-fi and fantasy elements have become a feature of our work. I love working with other makers and the chance to come up with ideas which you could never have on your own.

SSH: What's Next?

Fergus: For the next four months I'm working with Theatre Modo.  This week I set off for Peterhead for a fortnight, then Bridge of Don for a six week parade project about the life of Thomas Blake Glover, then back to Peterhead for another six week parade project about whaling. After that I will get back into the studio and see what I think of the work I made before I left.

SSH: Where do you head for inspiration?
Fergus: Oxfam books on Victoria Road provides inspiration for me regularly. I stop by most days and although sometimes I can't find what I'm looking for, at other times there will be several books on a subject which I didn't know about and they set me off in a new path for a week or two.

SSH: What key piece of advice do you wish you'd known?
Fergus: I wish someone had explained that it takes a very long time to get good at the things you want to do. And that along the way there are opportunities to try other things which broaden your experience and skill base. I'd still like to know who buys artworks.

SSH: Favourite place in the Southside?

Fergus: Go Slow cafe has a lovely atmosphere, a warm welcome and fills with interesting people.

SSH: Name another Southside creative whose work you admire?

Fergus: Roy Shearer (www.zero-waste.co.uk) makes product and furniture designs which are intelligent, playful and relevant to our time.

SSH: If money was no option what would you change about the Southside?

Fergus: I'm sure other Southsiders agree that it'd be great to have a bar that reflects the creative and diverse members of the community. And that stays open past half ten. And that has a lovely beer garden. And is really cheap. And that you can go dancing at sometimes, but that's still quiet enough to have a chat, that sells tasty ales and cocktails and has excellent live music, situated just far enough away from my flat for me to get a little walk to sober me up on the way home, but not so far away that I'll get soaked if it's raining. Right?