It takes a lot of skill to be both a painter and a sculptor, especially when the artist’s style in each is so distinctive. Graham is one such artist. His method of creating sculptures and paintings is entirely different. His paintings start with a clear image in mind, while his sculptures evolve based on the materials that call to him at that moment.

^{Graham exhibiting his sculptures}

Finding an image that inspires him to paint can take months. He searches through his portfolio of photographs and through magazines, particularly National Geographic. But once he’s found that perfect image, he’s fixated. He’s compelled to recreate this image many times, exploring different colours and variations until his mind is sated.

^{Graham's paintings explore different colours and variations}

The clean, sharp lines of his paintings hail from his work as a sign writer that gave him a love of and appreciation for the perfect line.

Graham uses another method for sculpting. His workshop has boxes filled to the brim with silver and brass in different shapes and sizes. He looks for a shape that attracts his attention. And asks himself ‘What could this evolve into?’ he asks himself. His imagination revs up and an image appears in his mind. He then searches through the 999,999 pieces in his workshop for the perfect parts to create just that.

^{Graham's helpers provide himthe right parts  for his creations}

Few artists can say that they command a worldwide army of helpers who seek out ‘bits and bobs’, ‘odds and ends’ i.e. exactly what he needs for his creations. Graham is lucky enough to be one of those few. His faithful followers search through op shops, craft stores and garage sales for components for his sculptures. Then they bring or send the pieces to his workshop.

It’s not obvious, but if you look closely, you can tell something special about Graham’s sculptures: he has welded nothing on them; every piece is held together by nuts and bolts!

This helps to emphasize the retro-futuristic feel of his pieces, inspired by his childhood love of Science Fiction and the visuals of Buck Rogers and The Forbidden Planet and other 1940’s-50’s icons.It was a calendar given to himtwelveyears ago by a friend that got him going.It showcased rockets made from old action figures. Soon hedeveloped his own variations and has been experimenting with them ever since.

^{The retro-futuristic feel of Graham's sculptures}

In case you are looking for hints as to where to find inspiration for your own works, Graham lists a prominent city as one of his ongoing inspirations and loves. It’s Hong Kong: the contrasts readily available to the eye and mind, the buzz and hum of a city well lived in andthe sheer density of humanity. His favourite aspects of the city are the half-hidden nooks and crannies and the back streets almost permanently draped in shadow. They hide some of the most exquisite treasures he has used in his work.

^{That infamous city}

So, treasure hunters, keep your eyes peeled; your next inspiration could be waiting just around the corner!