Who are you?
I am an artist and writer, born in London, 1962. I grew up influenced by my home town, punk rock and pop art. I have written and made visual work all my life, but only went to art school (St.Martin's, R.C.A) as an adult of 27. I continue to live, play and work in London.

Tell us about your visual art?
My prints, drawings and paintings are a celebration. Sometimes it is just joyful interactions between cocks, tattoos and pop culture, and sometimes it is more complex, looking at masculinity, sexuality and ideas of pleasure. Like a good pop song, I want my pictures to say different things to different people.

And what about your writing?
My writing is mainly about sex, pop culture and autobiography. For some years I did a little print ‘zine called POP!, which was lo-fi and lo-brow. My current work is featured on myspace blogs and various other sites on the web. I tend to write more these days than make visual art. I find it a more satisfying means of expression.

What can you not say no to?
Loud guitars, bright tattoos, and a pretty face with a problem.

Do you sing in the shower?
Mainly songs from musical theatre and Dusty Springfield. Water brings out the traditional gay in me.

Have you ever broken the law?
I have tried most illegal drugs, had sex when the law said I was too young to, and I have also eaten food past its sell by date.

Have you ever betrayed a friend?
Only by staying silent when maybe I should have spoken. This could apply to opinions on boyfriends, haircuts and lifestyle choices.

Indians v Cowboys?
Difficult. I like the spiritual dimension of being an American Indian, but I like the Cowboys clothes more.

Do you have a price? How much?
You can buy my loyalty, soul and probably my ass for the price of an Indian take away and 2 bottles of wine. I am a cheap date.

Do you prefer night or day?
Day, especially mornings. A new start every 24 hours! Coffee, sunshine, checking my emails, listening to the Ronnettes.

If you had 60 seconds to live, what would you do?
I would write a note to my nearest and dearest, saying that I loved them and that I tried my best. And that I wanted to be cremated in my Sex Pistols t-shirt.

Are you superstitious?
No. Except that I have lucky underwear for the weekend.

Your favourite drug?
Led Zeppelin and cock.

If you woke up as a cockroach, what would you do?
I would run to a cockroach bar to try to pick up cockroach hunks.

How old are you and how old do you feel?
I am 45, and I can be all ages in one day. From the discovery of 5, the vulnerability of 9, the delusion of 16, the energy of 24, the skill of 35, the knowledge of 50 and the exhaustion of 70, all in 24 hours.

Tell me a secret.
I would have loved to be a father.

If you could go back, what would you not do?
I do not regret any of my fashion choices, or my decisions in love. But I would not spend the 1980s being so scared, depressed and miserable. And I would have listened to more hip-hop and less Sisters of Mercy.

A dream that has come true, and a dream you want to come true?
Well, I always wanted to be heavily tattooed, and that has happened. And a dream for the future? To be happy, to love and be loved and to finally be able to do all the dance steps to “The Madison” from the movie “Hairspray”.

What value does your word have?
When I give it, it is priceless. It may decrease in value over time.

Your first memory of childhood?
I was 3 when my brother was born. I am taken to the cot to see him. “Look” says my mother,  “the new baby has brought you a toy as a present!” No he hasn’t, I think. That is just a bribe from you to stop me killing him.

Can you touch your nose with your tongue?
No, but I could touch your nose with my tongue.

Who/what would you like to be if not yourself?
To be perhaps a contented gardener or maybe a great opera singer, committed to my art. I maybe would have liked to be a teacher, or perhaps a go-go dancer. I admire anyone who has dedication, creativity and joy in their life. 
 

Original interview by C.O.D.Y. in Slurp Magazine, Italy, 2007