I managed to do a interview of sorts with Sean, and here it is interspersed with impressive samples of his work!
Q: Your family clearly had no sense of your value when they
auctioned you off to the circus in exchange for Branston pickle,
Ty-Phoo tea, figgy pudding and a Dickens novel. Would it have been more
worth it if they did it for Devonshire clotted cream, a Yorkie bar,
Schweppes Bitter
Lemon, Hob Nobs, and a Wm. Blake text?
A:
Absolutely, but I think at the time the language barrier between the
gypsies and my family made negotiations of this type difficult. I mean,
what is the Romanian equivalent of "Sod off! I said William Blake not
Dickens ya cloth-eared git!" Quite frankly I'm glad they got shafted for
lesser goods. Seems we all made out poorly that day.
Q: Ever been to the UK? Or... other interesting places around the world?
A: I've been back several times. I've visited England more than any other country in the world, even the U.S. I think. My entire extended family lives in old blighty. There are currently only 3 original members of my family residing in Canada but we have added many peripherals since 1975.
Q: You have illusionist abilities..what is the importance of illusion or symbol and using it in art and life?
A: I think there is a lot of illusion in Art and life. Not only do we use illusions on a personal level to interact with and protect ourselves while roaming the wilds of the outside world, but there are innumerable ones sold to us on a daily basis from all directions. Radio. Television. Other people. I believe that if all the illusions were to be made transparent over night, we'd see a radical shift in the structure and functionality of our society. Is illusion important? That's a matter of personal opinion. I suppose so, if you like things the way they are. If not, start on a personal level and tear down your own illusions. As Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Q: When you were a circus dog or on the mean streets life was tough. What held you through?
A: Knowing that someday I would get my revenge. Ever received a hug and a kiss at a family gathering from someone who's been drinking out of the toilet? That's me baby. That's me. Revenge is sweet.
Q: What type of gin was it when you dove into a thimble full of it? I hope it was Bombay Sapphire at least.
A: The gypsies told me it was gin and I could delude myself that they could actually afford Bombay Sapphire or any gin for that matter, but in the long run I'm pretty sure it was just ordinary tap water I was diving into. After all, they only had Dickens to trade for me; certainly not what a rich trader would bring to the table (Dickens is so common). What about my alcoholism you ask? Brought on psychosomatically I believe in a vain attempt to escape reality.
Q: Any favorite alcoholic (or non alcoholic) drinks?
A: I'm actually quite partial to Bombay Sapphire. Maybe a little too partial? Next time you're in the mood for a tasty alcoholic treat, try Bombay with a shot of cranberry juice, some tonic water and a squeeze of lime on the rocks. It's awesome :) I solemnly swear this is not a product placement but if I forwarded this response to the makers of Bombay Sapphire, do you think they'd give me an endorsement? Or at least a cease and desist letter written on original Bombay Sapphire letterhead? That'd be frameable.
A: I'm actually quite partial to Bombay Sapphire. Maybe a little too partial? Next time you're in the mood for a tasty alcoholic treat, try Bombay with a shot of cranberry juice, some tonic water and a squeeze of lime on the rocks. It's awesome :) I solemnly swear this is not a product placement but if I forwarded this response to the makers of Bombay Sapphire, do you think they'd give me an endorsement? Or at least a cease and desist letter written on original Bombay Sapphire letterhead? That'd be frameable.
Q: You are a horror buff no? Aside from obvious stuff everyone is supposed to know about (Freddy, Jason, Pinhead, blah blah) are there some more obscure and awesome films you'd recommend?
A: I am a horror fanatic. I've been obsessed with the subject since forever. I'm really interested in the movies that take surrealism to a whole new level or are creative way beyond their time. I'd recommend "The Phantom of the Paradise", "The Dark Crystal", "Dead Alive", "Legend" and "Driving Miss Daisy". That last one... spooky! Everyone always goes on about the big wigs in horror (Dracula, Leatherface) but it's a lot of the smaller productions that have the more interesting character designs and darker more intelligent themes. Clever and effective horror doesn't rely on buckets of blood or sassy teenagers to sell the story. The story sells itself.
Q: Do you think drugs can enhance art or are they usually just a crutch?
A: Definitely a crutch. If you need drugs to create anything then you're not up to the task of creation. While I believe there are certain aspects of drug use that can bring clarity to the self or at the very least cause a decent amount of relaxation, if you need them to create (to paint, to make music etc.) then you should find something else to do with your time. Maybe you could do drugs?
Q: How did you meet your writer wife? Do you help give each other ideas for your work?
A: Believe it or not we met up at an Art show. I was part of a 'Day of the Dead' show over Halloween in 2004. One of her friends, a gentleman I had just completed a course with at Sheridan College, was also in the show. She had come to support him but ended up talking to me all night about painting and Art. When the show was over we discovered that not only were we both from Toronto, but we were about a five minute walk apart. After that day I couldn't shake her and it's been a downhill, slippery slope ever since. Love you sweetie!
A: Believe it or not we met up at an Art show. I was part of a 'Day of the Dead' show over Halloween in 2004. One of her friends, a gentleman I had just completed a course with at Sheridan College, was also in the show. She had come to support him but ended up talking to me all night about painting and Art. When the show was over we discovered that not only were we both from Toronto, but we were about a five minute walk apart. After that day I couldn't shake her and it's been a downhill, slippery slope ever since. Love you sweetie!
As for part two of the question, sure we assist each other in our creative endeavours but ultimately, all we can do is make suggestions. We're both so steadfastly stubborn In our practices that we take advice from each other and then promptly throw it out. Now, that's not entirely true but we each have such well defined visions of where we want to go with our prospective creative streams that direction from others is rarely acted upon. I help to edit her writing. She helps to dial down my harsh approach to my production methods, make my work more appealing to a broader audience. It's a win-win as far as I'm concerned.
Q: If you had a super power what would you choose?
A: I have two that I think would be of immense use. The first would be the ability to reshape the molecules in objects. With a power like that you could conceivably turn a tree into planks for a house or simply morph the tree into a house or anything for that matter. You could walk through walls, turn a person into a million cubes of bloody flesh or stick two people together, shatter bullets, heal yourself or others instantly, maybe even fly. Imagine how quick surgery would be? I think that would be fun.
A: I have two that I think would be of immense use. The first would be the ability to reshape the molecules in objects. With a power like that you could conceivably turn a tree into planks for a house or simply morph the tree into a house or anything for that matter. You could walk through walls, turn a person into a million cubes of bloody flesh or stick two people together, shatter bullets, heal yourself or others instantly, maybe even fly. Imagine how quick surgery would be? I think that would be fun.
The second
would be the ability to find things. Lost your car keys? I know where
they are. Need help finding a missing loved one? Got it covered. Osama
Bin Laden? Gimme a hard one. He's over there. Can you imagine the line
up of people waiting to utilize your services in finding... whatever!?
It'd be awesome. Just don't ask me to find your lost innocence.
According to the Judeo-Christian mythos, you ain't got any.
Q: Can I have your autograph?
A: Absolutely. Maximillian Speedpants.
