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Craig & Karl | Artist Duo


Mini Golf, Photo: Craig & Karl
Mini Golf, Photo: Craig & Karl

Craig & Karl is a design duo that boldly crosses boundaries, writing their own rules in the world of art and design. Their friendship, which started at an art school in Australia, has turned into a creative partnership between London and New York. Skilfully blending different disciplines such as graphic design, illustration and installation, the duo defines their art as a dialogue. Craig & Karl, who stand out with their bold colour palettes, simplified visual approaches and interactive designs, see their art journey as an adventure. Transforming the viewer into an active participant by creating interactive experiences in both public spaces and private projects, Craig & Karl represent a playful and thought-provoking face of modern design. We had a chat with the artist duo about their work and production practices.

Interview: Onur Çoban


Who is Craig & Karl? Can you briefly tell us about yourselves? How did your journey to becoming a globally recognised artist duo begin?


Craig & Karl is Craig Redman, based in New York and Karl Maier, based in London. We first met as teenagers at art college in Australia, and have worked together ever since. We work across design, illustration and installation. We see our work as an ongoing conversation between the two of us.


Craig Redman & Karl Maier


How would you describe your multi-disciplinary art philosophy based on an evolving exploration of colour, pattern and shape?


Our approach has developed over many years. Our background in design has led us to a more graphic, reductive approach to making images. Colour has always been a big part of our work. We're fortunate that Craig & Karl is only the two of us, and our work, interests, and personalities can all evolve in unison. In that way, we've been able to branch out in different and unexpected ways. It feels like an ongoing adventure where we can naturally shift towards whatever we're drawn to while maintaining a core element of us.


Cosmos, Photos: Craig & Karl


How does the process of creating together as Craig & Karl work? What can you say about the synergy that emerges when different perspectives and skills come together?


We always start with a conversation and toss around ideas verbally. Then, we develop those ideas into sketches before deciding which one to pursue. There's no strict division about who does what. The outcome is always the main focus, and we each contribute to that in whatever way is needed, whether hands-on or providing a sounding board. It varies from project to project, but usually, it's a bit of both.


Your use of colour is very confident, how did you develop this?


We've always gravitated towards bold colours, and over time, they've become a signature element of our work. We use the same colour palette repeatedly, which helps keep everything coherent, even if we're going from a simple graphic to a large-scale installation. We love the effect of colour in immersive spaces you can move through.


Prismatic, Photos: Craig & Karl


Which of your works has excited you the most in terms of the design process and the final product?


One that we love is Mini Golf, which is a public installation in London's Canary Wharf. It combines the feel of an art installation while being a playable mini-golf course and is a fully interactive experience. It was our first experience translating our artwork into something people could engage with in a genuinely playful way, where it's integral to the installation itself.


Mini Golf, Photos: Craig & Karl


Can you tell us a little about the sources of inspiration behind your work? Who are the names you follow with curiosity in this field or in different disciplines?


Our influences come from all over the place. It could be something we read in the news or the composition of a painting—even something said on a TV show—that triggers a new idea. We absorb a lot of different things and filter them in our way. It's also real-world things like trawling through galleries or hanging out with friends that can spark something. Some artists we admire are Jonas Wood, Carol Bove, Ugo Rondinone, Matt Connors, and Nicolas Party, to name a few. Generally, we try not to overthink it and follow our tastes.


Are you excited about the future and what are your plans?


One of the projects we're currently working on is an exhibition in Australia next year at a museum attached to the university we attended. It's very exciting for us to be invited back. It will be a fun homecoming.



BASILI EDİSYONLARI KEŞFEDİN

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