Interview with the artist—August issue

The Undercurrent: Tell us a bit about the cover.
Nicholas Nocketback: Well, that particular piece is titled “A Year in North Korea”. I lived in South Korea for a year with a friend who was originally stationed there by the US Army but chose to live there permanently once he was discharged. It’s quite magical, really. But I was trying to show how the West’s perspective of a country can ultimately pollute the minds of those that are influenced by the so called authority figures in life.

TU: What got you started in art?

N: I have never taken an art class, obviously. In fact, I don’t even consider myself an artist when compared to such talents as have graced this magazines cover. Nonetheless, I was recently at the Centre Pompidou looking at Basquiat’s “Slave Auction” when I realized, wow, I suppose anyone can do this. (Cue the art aficionados’ hatred toward me).

TU: What makes you tick?

N: Timex

TU: Has the Fresno scene had any influence on you?

N: Umm, kinda, in the sense that I used to graffiti things and help Pacific Union decorate their train cars. Other than that, I really think far beyond this city. Grapes, cows, and DUI’s are great, don’t get me wrong, but the world has so many other wonderful nouns to explore.

TU: Who are some of your influences?
N: Well, from here in town there’s Nist, Josh Wigger, Nigel Roberson, Eatcho, and Jason Graham. But worldly influences include Kupka, Alain Jacquet, Jacques Monory, and Gerard Garouste—I guess Rockwell aint so bad, either.

TU: How would you describe your style?

N: Hip hop smoothed out on that R&B tip.

TU: What makes you happiest?

N: Watching a butterfly land on my forehead in Roeding Park while drinking Red Bull and Miller Light.

TU: Let’s play Marry, Bang, Kill: Salvador Dali, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol.

N: I’d most likely Kill Jackson Pollock straight off for being a no talent drippist, directly after I’d bang Salvador Dali while using his handlebar mustache for leverage then marry Andy Warhol for the money.

TU: How about The Undercurrent staff?

N: I suppose I’d marry, bang, and then kill them all.

TU: How can people contact you if they’re interested in purchasing your work?

N: Well, art is pretty expensive, so I paint in order to decorate my house. But, as you know, they can always email me at nocketback@fresnoundercurrent.net if they’d like to talk about pretentious contemporary elitist artists and their work.