Artist Feature // 5 Questions for Tyrone Layne

Tyrone Layne is from Auckland, NZ and currently lives in Sydney. I came across a few pieces of his art on the Saatchi site and was immediately drawn in by the intricacy and contrast of his work..

He’s a contemporary artist inspired by urban life and activities within the everyday. In his Peoplescapes, his work focuses on urban landscapes and the detailed interactions of people going about their daily lives. As the viewer, you are positioned slightly above the scene, peeking in. He’s also got a new larger, looser abstract series going on now.

His work is engaging, intricate, and so unique. I couldn’t stop looking at the detail of it all! Get my Q&A with Tyrone below…

5 Questions for Tyrone Layne

1) What is your favorite kind of work to do at the moment?

I’m currently working on two very different series of paintings. There are my Peoplescapes, which have been an ongoing series for the last 4 years. These focus on everyday life and current culture, and are set at the beach or an urban location. Then there are my new abstract paintings which I started at the end of 2017, these serve as an antidote to my labour intensive detailed figurative work. I love the immediacy and directness I have while painting this work.

2) What kinds of things inspire you?

I’m inspired from everyday life, culture, fashion, history, what I see on Instagram, TV, or out on the streets. It’s the collection of ideas and trends that help influence what I paint.

3) Who else do you admire in the art space?

Well one of my current favourites is Eddie Martinez. But I’m also a big fan of the New York school of Abstract Expressionists. I was at the MoMa today and the room of Joan Mitchell paintings was very memorable, so were Phillip Guston’s paintings.

4) Coolest possession?

Probably my TV. It’s how I relax and unwind in the evening before bed.

5) Favorite quote or words to live by?

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”—Nelson Mandela

To see more work:

Follow Tyrone on Instagram, Facebook, or visit his site for more!

Hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week!
xx—BB