I have been following the artwork of Matthew Zaremba for quite some time. For those of you who can appreciate irony, clean imagery and witty sarcasm—Zaremba is a gold mine. I try to stay cultured by following creatives and getting to know new talent across various mediums. The number of people who have committed his artwork to tattoo on their skin is a testament to the significance of his artwork and how powerful his images are. One of my favorite of such works is a drawing with a trojan horse with the words “I’m sick of sitting here pretending I’m not dangerous.” I love the historical tie in and it also is a bit of a play on the countless self aggrandizing memes but much more subtle. Sometimes the sharpest knife in the drawer looks seemingly harmless.
I first came across his artwork while scrolling through a signet ring jewelry line account on instagram. One of the pieces was so striking that it caught my eye and I wanted to research who the designer was behind one of the jewelry collaborations. A love affair began.
His artwork betrays his quick witted mind. Funny phrases that touch on various themes like love, relationships, ambition and more litter his artwork. Zaremba is no newcomer to the world of art. He’s been featured in Playboy, Rolling Stone, Huffington Post and more! I’m patiently waiting for when he announces that he will releases some cool branded merchandise.
It was a pleasure to catch up with him and pick his brain with some questions about what inspires his creative process. Check out our Q and A with him below:
How has your love of art influenced your path in life:
I’m more inspired by creativity than art. I think that art carries the baggage of disciplines, mediums, and institutions. On the other hand, creativity is energy… It’s fluid and it’s the foundation of all expression before it’s spoiled by an agenda, a process, or an audience. Creativity can solve problems, or can be the solution to escaping problems altogether. It’s an entry point and an exit. So I do my best to embrace my creativity, whether that’s in the way I illustrate something on my mind, manage a project, or interact with my environment.
What would the current you have told yourself at 21?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Break bad habits and negative cycles. Build on strengths and be less critical of weaknesses. Look closer and listen more.
What does your creative process consist of:
Purpose, vision, execution.
How do you come up with these funny, witty, sarcastic sometimes deep and often irreverent sayings:
By staying true to myself, listening to my inner voice without judgement, and appreciating the idiosyncrasies of life and the world around me.
What has been one of your favorite collaborations as an artist so far:
Illustrating an important article by my friend Killer Mike (activist, rapper, Run the Jewels) for Playboy Magazine. We’re both very vocal about politics so I was happy to collab on that piece for Playboy’s political issue. It’s important to me that I’m able to use my creativity for the greater good, or to address topics that need to be discussed.
I’ve seen images of your artwork and sayings as tattoos. How does it feel to see your artwork tatted on so many people. Did you ever imagine your art would inspire people to tattoo it to their bodies:
I don’t think about it much but it’s cool that people relate to my work so much they’d add it to their bodies. When I was kid, all I ever wanted was to design a skateboard graphic someday and I could die happy, so this is all a bonus at this point.
Who is the guy behind the art? Is he quirky? Are you a joker? Are you shy. Tell us about your actual personality:
Strong-willed, passionate, curious, sentimental, introspective, observational… an ambivert.
What’s next for you as an artist?
Continuing to create and opening myself up to possibilities.
What words of advice do you have for young artist just getting their feet wet
Show respect, earn respect.
In the busy life of an artist, what type of people are the ones you connect with on a deeper level (can be romantic or just friendship wise)
In the words of Jack Kerouac:”The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk,mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”
Check out some more of his work below. Don’t forget to connect with him on instagram and follow via @MatthewZaremba
