Interview with Mike Habs, Local Existentialist Abstract Artist

 

Interview with Mike Habs, conducted by local REALTOR® Keith Kurlander

Summary

Mike Habs is an existentialist abstract artist from the south side of Chicago, IL. His next upcoming exhibit entitled "Inept" is September 23rd with Jacklord Tomas at the Inn Gallery in Los Feliz." Using a variety of methods he creates large, vibrant and often violent abstract representations of punk rock songs.

What made you decide to become an artist ?

I never really decided to become one, I started painting on my own when I moved to Montreal in my early 20's. It was my first time living away from home. I think the isolation made me stop compromising what I wanted to do with my free time. It was just this weird thing I kept doing.

You do abstract representations of punk rock songs, can you explain that? How did that happen?

I really feel like some bands from the late nineties - early 2000's created some of the most sincere music that ever came out of the punk era. There's a reason that kids dye their hair blue, or wear spikes and chains or whatever. It's because in some way shape or form, they feel hurt and they want to be a part of something. The bands at that time really reflected that emotional element of punk rock. It wasn't about "anarchy in the UK" or any of that nihilistic bullshit, the music at that time was really about suburban angst. To me that's much more honest. I do representations of bands like The Used, Hot Water Music, and Brand New, because instead of saying "I'm young and I'm angry and fuck everything" their message was more "I'm young and I'm hurt.... I'm left behind, I'm not okay" which is much harder to say. That isn't to say some punk bands didn't do it before, but it wasn't as much of a consistency.

Is that why the show is called "Inept"?

Yeah, its definitely part of it. But the Inept name plays into a lot of different elements that will be uncovered in the show. Feeling "inept" is the most common theme in the music and paintings.

Aside from musicians, who were some of your artistic inspirations ?

The main ones that come to mind are Tony Fitzpatrick, Banksy, and Shepard Fairey. I really was only attracted to artists where it was very evident that they were do-it-yourself type people. There are some great street artists here that keep me going too, like Moncho 1929 and Thrashbird. When I see they're murals I always think, "Damn, okay now I need to step it up."

What has surprised you most when you started showing your work in galleries?

It was surprising to see how people react to it differently, and that it was actually difficult to get used to. A lot of these pieces were ways to cope with shitty and really heavy situations in my life and some people love it and some people have literally laughed in my face. Most people have been very supportive but unfortunately those aren't the ones who tend to stick in your brain.

Do you have any advice that you want to share with other artists?

Stop waiting for other people to do things for you. Especially other artists.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/539877789541475/

Website/Blog: http://www.mikehabs.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/Habergram