An artist finds inspiration in nature
New Zealand contemporary artist Andrew J Steel talks creative inspiration, reconnecting with nature and nude hot tubs
New Zealand contemporary artist Andrew J Steel, art is storytelling. He makes art to learn more about people & the world, then he retells these stories in his work to offer perspective and peace - both for himself and for others seeking comfort through the arts.
Recently, Andrew visited Max in Kawakawa Bay to find some creative inspiration, reconnect with nature and leave his mark.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
Hello world, my name is Andrew J. Steel and I am a contemporary artist reigning from Aotearoa New Zealand. My art focuses mainly on ‘the art of storytelling’ - where I learn about people & places, and then reinterpret stories into artworks.
I believe an artist's role is to live a remarkable life and report back on it in their work, so I try to live a life that is both work & play and a life that exists in both urban & nature.
A good day is one where I get to swim in the ocean & make something with my hands.
How did you begin your journey as an artist?
I grew up skateboarding and that’s all about having fun with public space - what you can jump off or on. I then started painting it instead of grinding it as I got into street based art. Over my career I moved off the streets and indoors to work with art collectors, architects & interior designers. I’ve now been practising as a full time artist for around 15 years.
Luckily I also grew up in a household that spent a lot of time outdoors - fishing, hiking, camping. I probably didn’t appreciate these things as much as I should have as a kid, but it’s pretty much all I do when I'm off the brushes now as a man.
You recently went out to Max in Kawakawa Bay, where was your head at before you left?
Before heading away, I was just another city slicker with a to-do list.
I live in Central Auckland and have my art studio in an industrial area not far away. Cities are great melting pots; they offer a diversity of people & thought and they manufacture much of our modern culture. Being an artist is a beautiful path to walk, but like everyone else, my inbox gets filled and my energy gets zapped.
It was a timely & welcomed escape to get back to nature and leave things behind for a few days.
This was your first Unyoked experience, what did you expect? How did that compare with reality?
Max was DOC Hut but make it Gucci. It far exceeded my expectations and am looking forward to visiting again for another special occasion or reset, whatever comes first. Academically, I hold an environmental science degree, so I was impressed at how low-impact & sustainable the Unyoked setups were. The surrounding areas were very scenic, lots of bird life, old trees and fresh water. Getting in nature and keeping it around for others is a core value for me.
What was the highlight of your experience?
I saw a wild Peacock walking in, had a nude hot tub under the stars and my partner and I talked more closely than we ever had. I did those things over and over until I left, with the exception of drawing on a few of your guys' things.
How does creating in nature differ from creating in your home studio in Auckland?
“The power of nature is what all art strives to be” - Rick Rubin. The studio is just a ruse to get out in nature more often.
How did you feel when you got back?
I’ve always turned to nature for a reset, for ideas and for clarity - I came back into the studio with a new spring in my step. And that enduring thought of “why don’t I do this more often?”.
I’m a firm believer of the idiom “You never regret a swim”, and swim could be replaced with “cabin in the woods"
What would you say to someone thinking of getting Unyoked?
Book it with - either for yourself or with someone special. It was the highest quality alone-time I’ve experienced all year.