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Featured Artist Interview - Peter Gould
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Peter Gould
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In a world rife with conflict, Peter Gould is working hard on establishing a unique cultural fusion through Azaan, a company which he set up. This was set up for him to explore his passion for contemporary graphic design, art, photography and the rich visual and spiritual traditions of the Middle East.
Bred in Sydney, Peter credits his good fortune to have been able to travel between projects around the Middle East region, where he developed and nurtured his passion for Arabic type, calligraphy and traditional Eastern design elements. His work has inspired many audiences through several exhibitions, appearances and collaborations with other artists.
Peter also runs graphic and web design studio Creative Cubed, which is based in Sydney. He provides consultancy services to both local and international clients in print, branding and web-based design projects.
We drop in on this dedicated individual, whose commitment to creating a unique cultural fusion through his travels and studies serves as an inspiration to all.
TAXI>>Hi Peter, it's a pleasure having you here on Taxi. So where are you right now and what’s been going on?
Peter Gould >>I’m in Sydney enjoying the sunshine and getting ready for a festival tomorrow... lots happening recently including a solo exhibition plus some interesting & fun commercial projects.
TAXI>>Can you tell me one important characteristic that you personally think every designer should have
Peter Gould >>An open mind! I think sometimes we designers can become too myopic and sucked into our little design bubbles. It’s understandable with crazy deadlines & anxious clients, but there’s a far bigger world out there and most people can’t afford Macs loaded with creative sweets
TAXI>>I understand that you set up www.azaan.com.au to showcase your work and that is mainly inspired by the rich culture of the Middle East. Is there any particular reason why you are interested in it?
Peter Gould >>Azaan is a creative project expressing some experiences I’ve had travelling through the Middle East & exploring a spiritual path in recent years. It really started as a place to upload travel pics for friends but has since grown into local hub for Islamic art & design.
TAXI>>How difficult is it to have your work based on the culture of the Middle East, knowing the fact that it is an Islamic area and the rules are pretty strict?
Peter Gould >>Actually Islam has an incredibly rich visual legacy. For example it has a long history of beautiful & unique works of art, architecture, calligraphy, textiles, miniatures and traditional crafts. I’ve also discovered there is a strong contemporary Islamic art scene in the US & UK. I think art is a powerful way to break stereotypes and can be very useful in a time of misunderstanding.
TAXI>>Why did you choose the word “azaan” for your website?
Peter Gould >>Azaan is an Arabic word which has connotations of calling, hearing and listening. It’s also a common word for the call to prayer, heard in mosques the world over. My art has always intended to promote harmony and dialogue so I thought the name was appropriate.
TAXI>>Your photography is mostly of the architecture of the Middle East and their designs are Arabic-influenced. Why do you think these buildings stand out from the rest and why do they gain more attention from tourists?
Peter Gould >>I think the design & architectural vocabulary is just so radically different from our own Western experience of building that they make such a stunning impression on us! Also many key Islamic buildings like the Alhambra Palace in Spain were designed using deep mathematical relationships, so every room and every detail in harmonious – the collective experience can be quite moving.
TAXI>>What do you think is the biggest compliment that someone has given to you about your work? And from who?
Peter Gould >>Haha I’m not sure really. Well last week a guy travelled a couple of hours to see the exhibition and sent me a really nice email. He described it as a “tasty contemporary dessert” after the very popular ‘Arts of Islam’ exhibition recently held at our State Art Gallery.
TAXI>>Besides aspiring artists and art lovers, who else is your website, www.azaan.com.au targeted at?
Peter Gould >>The site has attracted a fair bit of interest from diversity groups and multicultural organisations & events. For example The Sydney Children’s Hospital invited me exhibit 20 works as part of a celebration of their diverse patronage.
TAXI>>You also run your own graphic and web design studio, Creative Cubed. Will you tell us more?
Peter Gould >>I started freelancing full time about five or six years ago. Now I have a few people working with me in our little studio on print, branding and web projects. The clients are a mix of local businesses, larger nationals, agencies, government and some internationals clients (including some in the Middle East).
TAXI>>Okay, before we go, tell us where would you like a taxi to bring you now?
Peter Gould >> A nice old coffeehouse in Damascus, then back to the beach here in Sydney for the weekend.
© 2003 - 2007 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.
Bred in Sydney, Peter credits his good fortune to have been able to travel between projects around the Middle East region, where he developed and nurtured his passion for Arabic type, calligraphy and traditional Eastern design elements. His work has inspired many audiences through several exhibitions, appearances and collaborations with other artists.
Peter also runs graphic and web design studio Creative Cubed, which is based in Sydney. He provides consultancy services to both local and international clients in print, branding and web-based design projects.
We drop in on this dedicated individual, whose commitment to creating a unique cultural fusion through his travels and studies serves as an inspiration to all.
TAXI>>Hi Peter, it's a pleasure having you here on Taxi. So where are you right now and what’s been going on?
Peter Gould >>I’m in Sydney enjoying the sunshine and getting ready for a festival tomorrow... lots happening recently including a solo exhibition plus some interesting & fun commercial projects.
TAXI>>Can you tell me one important characteristic that you personally think every designer should have
Peter Gould >>An open mind! I think sometimes we designers can become too myopic and sucked into our little design bubbles. It’s understandable with crazy deadlines & anxious clients, but there’s a far bigger world out there and most people can’t afford Macs loaded with creative sweets
TAXI>>I understand that you set up www.azaan.com.au to showcase your work and that is mainly inspired by the rich culture of the Middle East. Is there any particular reason why you are interested in it?
Peter Gould >>Azaan is a creative project expressing some experiences I’ve had travelling through the Middle East & exploring a spiritual path in recent years. It really started as a place to upload travel pics for friends but has since grown into local hub for Islamic art & design.
TAXI>>How difficult is it to have your work based on the culture of the Middle East, knowing the fact that it is an Islamic area and the rules are pretty strict?
Peter Gould >>Actually Islam has an incredibly rich visual legacy. For example it has a long history of beautiful & unique works of art, architecture, calligraphy, textiles, miniatures and traditional crafts. I’ve also discovered there is a strong contemporary Islamic art scene in the US & UK. I think art is a powerful way to break stereotypes and can be very useful in a time of misunderstanding.
TAXI>>Why did you choose the word “azaan” for your website?
Peter Gould >>Azaan is an Arabic word which has connotations of calling, hearing and listening. It’s also a common word for the call to prayer, heard in mosques the world over. My art has always intended to promote harmony and dialogue so I thought the name was appropriate.
TAXI>>Your photography is mostly of the architecture of the Middle East and their designs are Arabic-influenced. Why do you think these buildings stand out from the rest and why do they gain more attention from tourists?
Peter Gould >>I think the design & architectural vocabulary is just so radically different from our own Western experience of building that they make such a stunning impression on us! Also many key Islamic buildings like the Alhambra Palace in Spain were designed using deep mathematical relationships, so every room and every detail in harmonious – the collective experience can be quite moving.
TAXI>>What do you think is the biggest compliment that someone has given to you about your work? And from who?
Peter Gould >>Haha I’m not sure really. Well last week a guy travelled a couple of hours to see the exhibition and sent me a really nice email. He described it as a “tasty contemporary dessert” after the very popular ‘Arts of Islam’ exhibition recently held at our State Art Gallery.
TAXI>>Besides aspiring artists and art lovers, who else is your website, www.azaan.com.au targeted at?
Peter Gould >>The site has attracted a fair bit of interest from diversity groups and multicultural organisations & events. For example The Sydney Children’s Hospital invited me exhibit 20 works as part of a celebration of their diverse patronage.
TAXI>>You also run your own graphic and web design studio, Creative Cubed. Will you tell us more?
Peter Gould >>I started freelancing full time about five or six years ago. Now I have a few people working with me in our little studio on print, branding and web projects. The clients are a mix of local businesses, larger nationals, agencies, government and some internationals clients (including some in the Middle East).
TAXI>>Okay, before we go, tell us where would you like a taxi to bring you now?
Peter Gould >> A nice old coffeehouse in Damascus, then back to the beach here in Sydney for the weekend.
© 2003 - 2007 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.