What inspires you?
The Gold Coast, history, progression, the ocean, music, nature, Australian artists, designers, musicians and photographers showing off how amazing we are Down Under! Dalí, Giger, Bowie, Basquiat, Lynch, Warhol, New York and Laura – I could go on.

We’ve heard you used to be called Claude the Drawer in school … what would we likely find on an old sketchpad of yours?
That’s a funny one, and yes, I would draw constantly and share the love around. I was very inspired by Star Wars, Gremlins, Ghostbusters and any 1980s pop culture. I still have a book filled with these drawings, brands and typography that I drew from around age five – true story.

You’ve had work exhibited all over the world including Tokyo, Paris, Los Angeles and New York, can you share with us some career highlights?
After 20 years of an artistic career I feel like I am just starting out, always learning, always growing, finding out what works and what doesn’t. Some highlights would definitely be the art shows, group shows, solos, installations, breaking new ground, publishing three books and speaking in front of 3000 people in Melbourne on a massive stage definitely puts the fire inside. Travel would also have to be a highlight, meeting amazing likeminded people all over the world, from standing on a reef in remote Indonesia taking photographs to installing a pop-up art show in freezing Vienna, always an adventure. Recently I sold a body of work to the Gold Coast City Gallery which is huge step up for me professionally in my contemporary-art career, and something I am very proud of.

Can you tell us about some of the challenges you faced as a young creative trying to make a living from art?
Growing up with changing technology, and the lack of, into a world now that is almost overloaded with information, ideas and opinions at the click of a button or stroke of a finger. I used to send samples of work to London and New York children’s book publishers via snail mail in the early days, only to wait weeks and months to get a rejection letter back with your samples all bent out of shape, these days those things can be addressed in a matter of minutes if not seconds, feedback is almost instantaneous.

Do you ever look back and wonder how on Earth you managed to pay rent?
Not really, I was a dish hand, house cleaner, brickies labourer, factory hand and more, always working on my dreams with any spare second. Everything is possible if you put your mind to it and act on it, I have always worked very hard and had a great support network around me.

What is success to you?
Health and happiness.

Can you tell us how you ended up dressed only in pink hotpants in Sneaky Sound System’s ‘UFO’ video clip?
A friend of mine was studying film and television at Bond and we worked as a group on several projects together over a period of two years. Good times. He wrote the part for me and said in his thick French accent that I had to wear a pink Speedo, I said no problems, but the hotpants turned out more appropriate. I ended up diving deep at Southport pool, slip sliding at Miami Motel and hitting the dance floor at Elsewhere all in the name of art.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve done for your art?
Stuck to my guns and stayed true to myself.

What was your childhood dream?
Exactly what I’m living and dreaming now, but I never imagined it could be this good.

How do you like to start your weekend?
Make a plan with Laura and see where it takes us, usually involving some amazing food!

You’ve achieved so much across an incredible range of fields, can you tell us what’s next for Claudio Kirac?
A reinvention of sorts for my 21st, working hard yet smart and taking on projects that really inspire me and push me personally and professionally with art work. I am currently working on an epic project with Laura Strange for Bleach* Festival this year entitled Home Sweet Home that will roll out in February and March. After that travelling to New York, Los Angeles and Japan whilst working on some of the biggest things we have done with SURF/BRAND and also pushing my contemporary-art practice through painting and photography at St. Thomas Studio. 2015 holds some amazing aspirations.

What is the best advice you’ve received in your career or life?
Be here and now, because that dictates where you are going and what will be.

What has been your greatest achievement?
Living exactly where I want to and upholding an amazing career whilst doing what I love.

Only a Gold Coast local would know that …
‘Fun n’ Games’ used to be at Nobby Beach.

FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Alfred’s Apartment, Push Espresso, The Journal.
Relax … At home, at the beach, dropping tools for a day at least.
Dine … The Fishhouse, The Lamb Shop, takeaway pho and cooking at home.
Indulge … On the couch.
Be inspired … Walking, riding bikes, market hopping, beyond the breakers, and again, the couch.

Photo Credit: Laura Strange