What is Urban Dirty?
Urban Dirty is a large gallery of texture photos which began around mid 2007. I had started using a lot of textures in my art, website designs and desktop wallpapers and I needed to sort out my collection of photos. I thought about making the collection available to the public and that gave me the idea for the website. I chose a domain name that described the content, uploaded the images to a private set in my Flickr account and used that to power the website. Each photo has a pop up preview, suggested colour schemes, an edit online option, descriptive tags and three download sizes. It now sports over 500 texture photos. It seems to be quite a popular resource.
What was the defining moment in your childhood when you thought – I want to become an artist when I grow up?
When I was about six, my Dad took me to Convent Garden in London to watch some breakdancers. Beside them were large boards of graffiti, one of which was a massive piece of this ultra cool b-boy, with shades and a fat gold chain, striking a pose with a big character of Scooby Doo by his side. It was a perfect rendition and it captured my imagination, making me think how good you can be get at something if you try. I took my first ever photograph at that moment – a Polaroid of the art – and kept it with me for ages.
Who/what are your creative influences?
Graffiti and hip hop culture have been a huge influence on my life, and the values and style that comes with it. Also the city I live in, Brighton, has a very worn, rough and gritty edge to it. Everywhere you look there are fantastic textures. I can often find inspiration from shapes formed by stains on the pavement or the remains of drips and splatters of paint.
If Urban Dirty was music, what would it sound like?
Something dark, heavy, abstract, deep and messy. Dillinger Escape Plan meets Cannibal Ox meets The Glitch Mob.
Could you share some things in your work space that inspire you?
My music collection, headphones and beats are a must when working. What I listen to varies depending on what I’m doing, if it’s art based personal photoshop work it’s often lyric based stuff, as I often listen for lines amongst raps and songs for inspiration, but if I’m doing some more complicated coding or css stuff, it’s best to get instrumental so as to get into a flow of concentration. Other than that it’s stickers, art and figures around me and the view from my office window onto a busy street in central Brighton.
What art do you have on your walls?
I have been lucky enough to build the websites for a lot of people whose art I admire, and as a result I have a few custom canvases. A large strutting robot painting by Ashab, a custom painting by Matt Sewell of three girls holding badgers, a dark blue forest style by Owen Phillips and a large ‘Delarge’ painting by Rarekind. I also have two special customised vinyl figures which I love. One 16inch Qee customised by Muju and a Teddy Trooper figure painted by graffiti artist Odisy which is a real jaw dropper.
What are your most treasured possessions?
My record collection, which is comprised of mostly late 90s/early 2000 hip hop and was built up during the time I was a DJ of sorts, cutting and scratching the weekends away. Also a lot of the art I have collected, in particular the amazing drawing by Alex Young that was done in this video. And of course, my wedding ring :)
What are your vices/guilty pleasures?
Black Label whiskey, Battlefield 2142 and pickled eggs.
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
Probably something completely the opposite to anything computer or web related. Something active and outdoors, like a Forest Ranger or a shark wrestler.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t worry about what other people are doing.
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
I have a few websites due to go live in the next few months for some well known musicians and djs. I want to concentrate a lot more on artwork, and improving my Photoshop and Illustrator skills this year and make lots more desktop wallpapers… And of course, I’m always working on making Urban Dirty and my personal projects bigger and better.
Paul Burgess
