Artist Interview: Nick Sweetman
Friday, November 18, 2022
Instagram: @nick_sweetman
Website: http://www.nicksweetman.ca/
Nick Sweetman is an interdisciplinary artist in Toronto that I had the opportunity to interview during my time in Canada. We had a wonderful chat talking about his journey and career as a street artist. I was drawn to his work and his dedication in many of his projects to raising awareness about social and environmental issues, most notably the importance of pollinators. Down below are some of the questions and discussions Nick and I had.
When I first met you it was along the River Banks where you had just finished a new mural. Can you talk more about it and why you chose the subject matter?
Each section is about different animals within the area. I do a lot of research that goes into my work. This was painted in partnership with the Riverside BIA and Streetcar Developments with assistance from @LUVS and @TENSOE2. I walked around the river documenting the animals I saw. I wanted people to have a sense of the feeling of being outside the city even when still physically being in it.
How did you find yourself here?
My 20’s was about discovering graffiti. I was going to University of Toronto (UFT). I started in the Subway and going outside was really my first exposure. I knew some guys painting in high school. I was not that good with it to begin with. I hit a point with graffiti for me where I stopped. I ended up teaching English in Korean but I missed art. It was not a real job, I ended up coming back but I missed painting.
In 2010 I needed a degree. I started working freelance, and doing murals inside friends' apartments. I applied to OCAD for a Masters of Fine Arts and the professor called my application bullshit. Over time I started developing, reflecting, I became more cautious not just in art but adulthood as well. At that time STEPS started doing public art as well. I worked as an assistant in 2013 to the Toronto Emerging Artist program doing smaller projects that brought together graffiti and public art. Mural Roots was doing certifications at the time and I got one in muralist leadership.
In 2014 I started working on big collab walls, @Bruno Smoky, Jane 400, I began by showing up as a fan. I had a car helping transport materials, lunch and they ended up needing a fill in. I brought my cans and painted. My name just got added and from there on my name got out there.
I started asking myself “Am I making it in this business?” Then I was funded by Burts Bees to paint Slanted Door (a coffee shop covered in a series of rotating art). I became the “bee guy: Nick Sweetman painted Bees”.
At that time David Zuzuchi wanted to promote pollinators. As the bee guy I was an artist that teamed up with people on how to create pollinator habitats. We initiated the Rewilding Contest, and I started creating artwork for the David Zuzuchi foundation. I want people to have a sense of awe, respect for insects.
It pays to have a relationship within the graffiti world. Not seen as an outsider. There is a faction that rejects public art. There are some parts of graffiti that will not accept it. I try to change the perspective about it through my work.
What inspires your work?
I wanted people to pay attention to something important and for me that was pollinators. I questioned What can I do that is benefiting society. I do not care about making art for professors, I do not make it for them. Public art is there forever, I don’t bring it home. I paint it and then I go. I want to have a message that lasts a while, have it happen and hit you when you least expect it.
I love color and playing with color. I often design the color beforehand and those decisions have already been made. I can remember in the beginning transferring small to big was a big change.
How would you define public art?
Art that is in the public space. It is accessible to everyone on the street. No bounded by walls and is more than just a sculpture. Art that is intended for the public space, conversation, and intention matters. Not loving being in the public, work is part of the equation. For me, maybe just one more person might learn something. It's finding a way to fit in this world, and art that is not confined to a space. Public art does not have to break down society.
Some public art is not activism , some just looks nice, it's beautifying. Not necessarily activism by being in a public space. Some people do not always want to see harsh realities on the wall. Sometimes you have to eat it, the work you do because you have to survive. I don’t fall in line, I push against it. Not interested in playing the game. There is this notion that Galleries are tied to an artist's success but that's not necessarily true, especially anymore.
What do I want to do moving forward? Any major plans?
Painting gigantic walls that's what I want to do. Not increase my prestige. I don’t miss the gallery. I am not here to party, I am hungry to find what people can contribute to society, and hate freeloaders.
In 2020 the graffiti alley was completely blacked out on blackout Tuesday. The whole alley was taken over and painted with faces that matter. It was a genuine act of solidarity not just a click and post. This was a special feeling, this actually means something. It was a special time. Paint the city black, maybe public art is where these important decisions can be had.
How did the pandemic shift the public art scene?
The pandemic grounded things. It put public funding to a halt. City not in office, no one new anything. But at the same time the graffiti community went nuts. I could just keep working which was great! I noticed that with the BLM movement and the indigenous children discovered there was an increase in work for them. After the pandemic makes it feel disconnected. In that time so many people have risen, and it's crazy so much more is taking place. Community is larger.
What problems and challenges do you face?
Every mural should have indigenous perspectives, I am a white guy I cannot provide that. I understand that I do not know and it has changed. I knew nothing back then, first nations, I’ve learned and changed a lot.
Thank you for reading my interview with Nick! I know it is a throwback to my time in Canada and I have others as well that I will be posting. I hope you enjoyed and thanks again for following my Watson Journey.
