3 Minutes with Zane Fix
World-renowned guru of Jap Pop Art – Zane Fix, is an American artist, born in Brooklyn, New York.
The art of Zane Fix blends both the intensity and simplicity of Japanese woodblock prints with the pop sensibility of early and mid 20th century western pop and commercial art.
Mr. Fix began honing his skills of draftsmanship as a child by interpreting the works of Hokusai, Sharaku, and Utamaro. He attended Cooper Union School of Architecture. In 1997, he travelled to Kyoto, Japan, and began on the path that led him to his current incarnation as the guru of Jap Pop Art.
1) Your dad was a professional musician and you were once in a rock and roll band, could you tell us more about your band and why you decided to move on from music?
Well, I was working as a professional musician for several years. I worked as a sideman on the bass for some of the most popular and successful pop/rock groups in the 80’s, touring the world in a way that is not really done anymore, since people don’t buy records anymore and the arena gigs are not really a regular part of the business. Then I played bass and guitar with some of the famous old timers from the 50’s era during their last hurrah tours; that was really great because I got to meet and work with the guys I grew up listening to as a kid! After that I was in two nationally successful glam rock style groups, Lovemaker and then Starr which culminated in a major recording contract. However, by 2001, the bottom all but dropped out in the music business, particularly in the rock genres that were my niche, so, utilizing my talents and particular interest in pop art and Japanese block printing, I reinvented myself as a visual artist. Overall, one heavy trip!
2) Do you still play any instrument in your free time? Would you be able to share a recording?
I play music a lot, though I haven’t played in clubs for over 5 years. I play piano, guitar, and drums these days. Here’s a little bit of rock n roll for ya!:
3) Do you listen to any music while creating art?
I never listen to music when I am doing my art…I work to the music in my head.
4) You mentioned in another interview that your mom wanted you to take up architecture and that’s what you did. Did you find the degree useful in achieving what you’re doing now? Would you have studied something else?
You have to remember that I studied architecture 40 years ago. When I was in school, we did all the drawings by hand; old school drafting, with layers of precise layouts and measurements, before final drawings in ink were prepared. Very time consuming, and a great lesson in discipline. I utilize the same techniques when I prepare my original artwork, and all that discipline (which is involved in being a musician, too) is ingrained in my brain. That is the key to what I do as a pop artist.
5) It seems that both your parents were influences in your life. What does your mom do?
Before I was born my Mom was in advertising art; Madison avenue stuff. She is 84 years old now, and pretty much does whatever she wants!
6) We had a pop up show of your work a couple of months back last year and it sold very well. Did you know you had fans in Singapore?
I guess I’m finding that out. Since you guys began promoting this exhibition, I have been getting several notes from people that live there. It’s pretty cool. I guess the key is that if people like the work, they will buy it, and it will become known by more people. The better it sells, the sooner I can get there!
7) Hailing from one of the more exciting boroughs in New York, Brooklyn, do you see yourself living anywhere else outside of the city?
I guess I am a true New Yorker. As of now, I think I’ll stay where I am.
8) Have you been to Japan? What about Japan did you enjoy the most?
I have been to Japan many times, and spent some extended time there exploring woodblock printing and sumi-e painting. I guess my favorite part was Kyoto in all its splendor, in every season.
9) At SPRMRKT, we’re a lifestyle cafe serving all day breakfast, brunch, salads, sandwiches, cakes and more. What are some of your favourite food/cuisine?
I like different kinds of foods. Maybe my favorite cuisine is Italian. I also love cooking, and am pretty good at it, if I say so myself.
10) Would you be able to share with us what you like to cook?
I love to make a fresh tomato sauce. I start with olive oil, plenty of garlic, peppers (red, orange, or yellow) & anchovies. As that mix is lightly frying up, I add some fresh parsley, oregano, and basil. Next comes the fresh plum tomatoes (seeded and chopped). Then the juice of a whole lime, more fresh parsley, oregano and basil; cover and simmer for a while, then turn off the fire and let it sit for a while. Later, I make whatever pasta I’m using, and let the sauce cook a bit more during that process, adding a bit more fresh herbs and a pinch of sea salt and some black pepper. Serve with generous amount of grated Romano cheese. Another simple sauce is olive oil, lots of garlic, a bunch of anchovies, lime, and a bunch of fresh parsley; I call it “the Al Pacino”; very, very Brooklyn!! I can eat that at least 3 times a week!
11) You did a commission for a food court. Please tell us more about that.
That was one of several commissions I did last year. It was for a creperie (Bar Suzette) by Grand Central station. I have done work for this company before, and the owners and I understand each other. Of course the pieces were pretty damn big, and were printed digitally, mounted and laminated. In the end, they came out great and I think I created a very recognizable set of graphics for the location. It is interesting, because I do many commercial commissions including restaurant decor, cd jackets, logo designs, portraits, etc…and once they are done, I rarely ever see them again!!
12) Any new works in the pipeline for 2016 that you’d like to share with us?
A couple, but best not talk about them before I start doing them!
13) Although we won’t get to see you here in Singapore, we’re certainly feeling the zeitgeist of My Tokyo State Of Mind. Would you be able to send us a self-portrait/selfie imagining yourself in Singapore?
