Our latest artist pick interview is York based Adam Higton, whose diverse portfolio of graphic design has seen him work with Camden Brewery and the New York Times, but his project, “Cosmic Neighbourhood” which shares the name of his musical project, is what first caught our attention.
It seems you’re somewhat an anomaly in that unlike a lot of artists in the UK, you’ve chosen not to head down south, what are the benefits of being somewhere like York artistically?
I have lived in York for 4 years almost, it’s gone by quick. I can’t think about Bristol too much as it makes me feel sad, I had some great friends there and I miss them everyday. However, I am settling in here and I love the history, it has loads of second hand bookshops, antique shops and an amazing car boot sale in the summer on a Saturday. It feels less trendy and a bit more normal which is great. It’s actually a great location as you have Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield down the road and we have summer holidays in Scarborough and Whitby. If I could live anywhere though… Berlin, I love that city.
You’ve worked pretty extensively in black and white, but your Cosmic Neighbourhoods project is bright and vibrant, do you prefer working in Black and White or Colour?
Yeah for years I have worked in black and white, I still do with my drawing. I worked with a limited colour palette for a few years but right now I’m into exploring a warmer and wider spectrum of colour.
Like your music, your art often has a strong psychedelic quality, is this an intentional decision to tie the two mediums together, or do both seem to connect organically?
Making art to make music to make art to. I think there’s a link somewhere… it was more forced at the beginning, the first Collages album, the songs had a stronger, direct link to the collages but these days I’m interested in making longer songs and worry less about that connection, I think now the songs are more organic in the link to the artwork.