Simon Burrill
Photo by, Simon Burrill
Meet Simon Burrill
Fans of the vintage video game aesthetic rejoice! Simon Burrill has crafted a wonderland of bright, pixelated, lighthearted, and sometimes disturbing characters. Through their art, they blend satire with the surreal with some downright fantastic results.
Have a look at their work and get to know the artist as we chat it up in our latest interview.
Two Truths and a Lie (answer at the end of the interview)
I once spent the night in a hospital in Tokyo with extreme food poisoning, next to a teenager who had been shot in the penis, I learned through the only person who could translate in the entire hospital.
I’m a 75-year-old camel herder and I live in a yurt 200km outside of Ulaan Batur
Would you rather…
If you could pick one species of animals besides people to become 15 times their current size which one would you choose? Why?
Capybara and the reason is clear - they would unite us all, ensconcing all humans and other species in a blanket of harmonious love, laying the foundations for a true utopian society.
Some questions with Simon Burrill
What draws you to the vintage video game aesthetic?
I’ve always adored the imagery of obscure old Japanese Famicom games, far more than the experience of actually playing them. I’m not a huge gamer I just love the imagery. There’s such a resourcefulness and economy to it. Divorced from the game, much of it is incredible art. I’m a minimalist, and fitting a wealth of information and story into a 256x224 pixel frame with a limited palette is a good test of what’s essential.
There’s an inherent naivety in that style which is ripe for perverting, all the smiles and colours and innocence. I’m just using it as an immediate way to convey thoughts, ideas and reactions to the world. Being British I feel compelled to mask any truth and sincerity I have to offer the world under a thick blanket of humour, so this is an excellent vessel for now, which I don’t seem to be getting bored of. Finally it's honest - I’m really not a fan of digital art masquerading as an analog medium.
I’m from a filmmaking and animation background, all of this is planned to end up as animations on old TVs in a gallery. When we can leave our apartments again.
Do you have a favorite vintage video game? If so why is it your favorite?
Double Dragon (coin-op). Summer 1980-something. My family stayed at a very local/backwater French caravan site for a month with my best friend’s family. There was a tiny, smokey little hovel called the 'beaux site’ which had three machines, two of them broken. Leaving Double Dragon, which we played while the older, infinitely-cooler local kids made out and showed each other how good they were at smoking. By the end of the summer my friend and I earned full respect from said teenage kids for beating Double Dragon in one credit. And they finally stopped beating us up.
Do you have a favorite family tradition?
Not big on traditions, but if it counts, maybe all of us counting to ten at the same time in order to not scream at each other, each knowing that only silence and reflection underpinned by true love can solve the frustrations we’re collectively feeling toward each other in that moment.
What medium do you typically use to make your illustrations?
Glad you asked, I just made a process video which explains everything
If you could only use 10 words for the rest of your life what would they be?
1) Coffee 2) please. 3) Where 4)is 5)the 6)nearest 7)sign 8)language 9)school please? I’ve got one word left. 10) SUMPTUOUS. It’s my favourite word.
How have you been spending your quarantine time?
Rewriting a film script. Making art. Making a short film. Making storybook videos for kids. Meditating. Thinking long and hard about life. Trying to get to the bottom of why my home-baked loaves look so sad. Clapping people far more heroic than I will ever be heartily at 7 every night. Ignoring all modern media and watching a wonderful assortment of obscure ancient experimental films.
Are you better at thumb wrestling or rock paper scissors? What’s your strategy?
Woefully inadequate at both I’m afraid. If it comes up, my strategy is generally refusing to play by claiming it’s a childish pursuit, in order to mask my ineptitude.
Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)
I started making these for my own enjoyment and I’m delighted to have received some interest, so thanks. I have absolutely nothing to sell anyone. Yet. So check out my work, enjoy, spread the word, and stay safe.
Two Truths and a Lie Key
True: I once spent the night in a hospital in Tokyo with extreme food poisoning, next to a teenager who had been shot in the penis, I learned through the only person who could translate in the entire hospital.
Lie: I’m a 75-year-old camel herder and I live in a yurt 200km outside of Ulaan Batur
