Joseph Breikers, Artist, Fresh Cut 2013
Success is being happy with what you’re doing ...
Being handpicked by Institute of Modern Art (IMA) director Robert Leonard and QUT lecturer Grant Stevens as one of Brisbane’s brightest emerging artists is an honour many young creatives dream of.
But local visual artist Joseph Breikers is no stranger to the spotlight, having been awarded an Arts Queensland Career Development Grant in 2011 and featured in a number of key exhibitions in galleries such as First Draft in Sydney and Ryan Renshaw here in Brisbane. Joe’s distinctive artistic bent has been shaped by many varied experiences, from a Masters in Fine Art (Research) at QUT to an artist’s residency in an isolated fishing village in Iceland. The Warwick-born, Hervey Bay-raised creator also has a healthy appreciation of the absurd, which is evident to anyone casting a casual eye over his Fresh Cut project, currently on display at IMA. The Weekend Edition caught up with Joseph to chat about his essentials for a good weekend.
How do you like to start your weekend?
I usually get up pretty early, so having a cup of tea and reading a book while it’s quiet and the sun has just come up is always a nice way to start the weekend.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Eat a bowl of cereal, then go for a ride at Paddo skate park.
How do you like to unwind?
With a few tasty ales with friends at The Scratch in Milton.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
Multiple cups of tea, nice coffee, nice beer, good company, BMX, heavy metal and, if the weather’s cold enough, a bonfire.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Spelunking.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Do some reading or drawing, and maybe watch a bit of TV.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
Spelunking.
What are you reading at the moment?
Iron Fist Heavy Metal Magazine and Art Power by Boris Groys.
What inspires you?
Anything that’s well written.
What was your childhood dream?
To become a garbage man.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Continuing to be an artist.
What is success to you?
Being happy with what you’re doing.
What are your words of wisdom?
Don’t eat the yellow snow.
Only a local would know … on Thursday night at The Scratch, the playlist can get a little bit heavy. Thanks Tim!
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Scout in Petrie Terrace or Reverends Fine Coffee in Fortitude Valley.
Relax … At home or at friends’ houses.
Indulge … The Scratch, Milton.
Shop … LUXBMX, Fortitude Valley.
Catch-up … Tippler’s Tap, Newstead.
Be inspired … Just about anywhere.
