Content (L)abel: Please give us a brief bio, where you are from and how you started?
Dwarfbaby: I was one of five kids born in a barn in Cavan, Ireland. Our family moved to the States when we were all very young and we spent the next 15 years or so moving around the U.S.. Lived in Colorado for a minute, Arizona for a short while, New Mexico for a spell, Oregon for a stint, Florida for a stretch, and moved back to Ireland for a while. Basically a traveling hobo. Now I live in Brooklyn, NY with my lady.
I started doing art when someone else said “Hey, that look’s pretty good” to me when I was at a young and impressionable age. I was lucky enough to meet some key people along the way who inspired me and encouraged me to make work.
Content (L)abel: Could you tell us about some of your work, your style , and influences?
Dwarfbaby: It’s always hard for me to describe art using words. I tend to just point at something I made or show them some art and sprinkle a few artsy sounding words into it. I have a few artists that really inspired me along the way. The people and things I can think of would be Keith Giffen, Robert Rauchenburg, Jackson Pollock, Marisol Escobar, my friend and early influence Nathan Henderson, old signage and graphics from the pre-internet days, cover art from old records, bad graffiti, and a bunch of other stuff I can’t think of. Sweet revenge has always been another big motivator.
Revenge for what, I couldn’t tell you.
Content (L)abel: Does music inspire your process?
Dwarfbaby: I think most artists need music to create. At least I do. Music can definitely create a mood or a vibe that can influence the way something
is made or isn’t made. Whenever I come home from work, the best way to relax and separate myself from my working self is through music.
From an early age, music has always been an important part of everyday life. Especially living in New York, music is the only thing that
can make you sane in this crazy town.
Content (L)abel: How did you hook up with Gone Beyond and Mumbles?
Dwarfbaby: I first met Dahvin (Gone Beyond) way back in the day when our family was living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. My older brother Cole, who also makes ill music, was friends with him. I was in 6th grade when i first met Dahvin and his brother Daniel. They were always really nice people and the whole family was a fan of their music. I haven’t met Mumbles yet. I have however been a fan of his music for a very long time. A friend of mine hooked me up with a copy of A Book Of Human Beats and I’ve been a fan ever since. I’m so happy to have been able to make some art for 2 musicians that I really respect and who’s music has been part of my life for a very long time.
Content (L)abel: What was your approach to designing the cover art for “A Duet For Space and Time?
Dwarfbaby: Well Dahvin sent me a few tracks that of course were friggin mental. Loved ‘em. He would send me these little collages of samples and different sounds that he was using or thinking of using.
I really wanted to make something that looked interesting spinning as well as a static object. I’ve seen full color vinyl before but it was always just a solid color. So when I was speaking with Dahvin about this project I kept thinking he was talking about doing art for the sticker in the center of the record. But when I finally figured he was talking about a record that had the actual full color image as the vinyl I crapped in my pantaloons. I knew this was going to be a very unique and special project so I wanted each side as its own special piece of art. I also experimented with different shapes and how they would translate when it was spinning. I really like the fact that this is a limited edition run which makes the whole thing more special and that much more coveted.
Content (L)abel: How does Time and Space Influence your art?
Dwarfbaby: Sometimes living in the city you forget that we are just a wee planet in this vast universe. The light pollution disconnects you with the night sky. One tends to forget that when you can’t see stars. I don’t know if that sounds cheesy. Actually I do. That does sounds cheesy.
I guess I just want to make something that will be seen, held, and appreciated by other humanoids. In a sense you’re making something for the future, something to be treasured at a later date.
Content (L)abel: Thanks for your time and attention it is deeply appreciated, Where can people check out your other works?
Dwarfbaby: Thank you guys. It was a pleasure to work on this project and I cant wait to have a copy in my hand so I can show
everyone and make them jealous. I always love it when I get involved in projects and I get to just create something. If I can tweak a few beaks with my contribution I will be a happy chappy.
To see more of my work check out www.dwarfbaby.org. A website that has been referred to as “the most visual and creative website in the entire history of the internet” by Crappy Taste Magazine.
-Shane (Dwarfbaby)
GONE BEYOND | MUMBLES : A DUET FOR SPACE AND TIME OUT NOW!
