CHAD KNIGH - OBJECTIFIED ON FILM

OBJECTIFIED ON FILM

DESCRIBE YOUR WORK IN THREE WORDS.

Introspective: The majority of my work stems from goings on in my daily life. It is my way of processing situations and emotions. 

Philosophical: I have always been very interested in the bigger questions of life and I use my art as a means of exploring what that means to me. 

Psychological: I'm fascinated by the idea that people can live in alternate realities based on perceptions. 

What does your art focus on?

My art is my internalization of the things in my life that I need to work through. In a sense, it is my visual journal. Posting these images publicly is my way of letting go of them.

What triggers your imagination?

I think the human brain is a filter to block erroneous, unconscious ideas from our conscious minds, and in me, that filter is very weak. As a result, my imagination doesn't need to be triggered and is constantly on the go. This makes for very vivid processing of information in my mind's eye. 

Who’s had the most influence on your artistic growth and why? 

I tend to work in isolation and even if I see something I like, and try to use elements of it for inspiration, it ends up being replaced by something that feels more right to me.

Besides your computer/phone, what is the one thing you cannot work without? 

Naps. A lot of my creative visions/connections come from that stage just before sleep.

Has Instagram influenced your work?  

As much as I would like to say I’m not influenced by Instagram, I think it would be disingenuous to say that people’s reactions to my art don’t have an influence on it. 

Name three Instagram accounts you follow religiously.

Beeple, Yes Lady Phoenix, Nothing Happened Today

Tell us about your biggest failure.

In my early 20s, I had a professional skateboarding career that was full of opportunity. I took it for granted and let arrogance distort my perception of reality. I ended up homeless then in rehab. I got my ass kicked at a young age, but I wouldn’t change it for the world, as  it allowed me to realize that nothing in life is guaranteed and complacency is poisonous. Now I wake up everyday and am absolutely grateful for every opportunity I have been given and every friend and family member in my life.  

Your all-time five favorite music tracks?

Nostos by Jean-Michel Blais, Providence and Storm by Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Little Drummer Boy, In the Hall of the Mountain King. 

If you could live inside a movie, which one would it be and why?

I’d pick the TV show Lost instead of a movie because it’s an interesting universe to live in. 

Who is your dream collaboration?

Eminem - It would be amazing to see how his mind works in person.

What keeps you going?

I feel like I haven't even scratched the surface of all the things I want to explore. The possibilities are endless.