Features

Who are you and where are you located?

My name is Andreas Linnell, I’m Swedish but I’ve been living in Sydney since 2005.

What is the concept behind Tunnelism?

Tunnelism is an accidental philosophy, a collective of artists and a tapping of the source. Both Oskar (Lindholm, who I’m doing the show with) and I use the moniker as most of our collective inspiration is drawn from the ocean and the surreal perspectives we’re bestowed from it.

You’re quite prolific in print, illustrations and website work. Which, out of the three, do you prefer doing?

I love the physical aspects of a piece of art or design. It makes it real and less disposable. Everything digital is so fleeting, so temporary and the way we consume it is really reflective of its nature. So out of the remaining two, I’d have to go with print, because I’m a really poor illustrator. 

Do you have a running theme with your print work and/or photography?

Almost everything I do stems from trying to capture beauty in all shapes or forms. Sometimes successfully, sometimes not. The ocean is almost always present in one form or another. 

What are you seeking to portray in your work?

I think my obsession with the ocean comes from experiencing something quite exclusive, and I want to share those pearly moments somehow. The beauty of playing, in the ocean or out, is that what you’re doing is focusing on the moment. It’s completely unproductive but in the process it defines you and the experiences make you a richer person. So if I can capture and share a fragment of those experiences, I’m stoked!

Whose work do you relate to most? Who or what inspires you?

Without a doubt George Greenough (http://www.georgegreenough.com/George_Greenough/Home.html). He’s an American ex-pat living up over Byron Bay - a mechanical genius, mad scientist and visionary. I reckon he’s from outer space. Back in the 60s when surfers were on massive logs he crafted these flexible little kneeboards of fibre glass and single-handedly started the short-board revolution. He completely rejigged the clunky 35 mm cameras of the day, made water-housings from scratch, strapped them onto his back and pulled deeper into the barrel than anybody had before him - and filmed the whole thing! Pink Floyd used his footage when playing Echoes live for decades. 

And I really admire Andrew Kidman who just exhibited at Lo-Fi Collective. He’s insane, a full-on renaissance man, brilliant in everything he does.

You have an upcoming show mid-October with Sydney’s Lo-Fi Collective for Tunnelism. How did that come about?

The curator must’ve felt sorry for me. 

What music do you like to play whilst working?

It varies but I’ve been thoroughly impressed by a lot of music coming out of Sweden over the past couple of years. Bands like Dungen, Fontän, Studio and Bandjo. Right now I’m listening to Kaleidoscopic by Lars Horntveth but the album I’ve probably listened to the most this year is July Flame by Laura Veirs.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Aside from your work, what are your other interests?

Surfing & playing in the ocean, spending time with my girlfriend, and reading. 

You did some typography work for the first Go Font Urself* event in Sydney early last year. Would you ever look into continuing down that footpath?

I love typography but it’s not an obsession. If I’m not working towards a specific brief I generally tend to gravitate towards photography based, surreal art and design.

Creative people often find it really difficult to network and promote themselves. How do you approach this aspect of your career?

I suck at it. 

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt thus far?

To appreciate everything I have rather than take it for granted. And that most things aren’t worth getting worked up about.

Are there any other creative avenues you’d like to try but haven’t yet?

I’d like to write, like properly write stories. But I’m not sure if I’m just in love with the idea or if I’d actually be good at it. 

Do you have any upcoming projects that you can tell us about?

Well I’ve decided to give writing a story a good crack. I’ve been sketching on a concept in my head for about ten years now and if I don’t do it now I never will. I have to try and if I suck at it, well at least I’ll know for sure.

Last but not least, how would you like to be remembered?

As someone with a good heart.

For more on Easlinn, check out easlinn.com.