A Gleeful Conversation with Fvckrender
TOUCHED AVANT ARTE
Fvckrender creates epic digital compositions – from arid sci-fi landscapes to opulent still life. Works are futuristic, surreal and rich with symbolism. Snakes, for example, represent manipulation. Flowers, emotion. Chains, community. These recurring visual metaphors amass into an alternate world. Likewise, the artist has developed his own metaverse. There, he can exhibit artworks exactly as he chooses – creating immersive online environments. Fvckrender’s process is intuitive, particularly inspired by nature and light.
“I take a lot of photographs of how light interacts with its surroundings,” he explains. “Then I alter it in a way that wouldn't make sense in real life.”
This attention to illusion resonates throughout his practice. His first non-digital sculpture EXISTENCE// (2021), for example, takes the form of a two metre high, gravity-defying chain.
Fvckrender sees art as a document of life. The creative process is a way for him to make sense of personal emotions and experiences. In particular, he talks about how art helps with his own mental health. “I myself have been dealing a lot with past trauma and anxiety, so I use my work as a diary of how I feel.” While the artist is inspired by daily life, his artworks are odd and dreamlike. Nonetheless, their subjects are swathed in incredibly realistic digital textures. In this way, Fvckrender creates an uncanny loop between the real and surreal – highlighting the ever-blurring boundary between render and reality.
His clients include Supreme, Softest Hard, Columbia Records, Lil Nas X, Epic Records, Harpers Bazaar China, TOKiMONSTA, New Retrowave Records, High Snobiety, Puma, Spotify, Instagram, Wieden + Kennedy, Rosalía, Northlane, Damian Lazarus, Le Cirque du Soleil, Lebron James, Primitive Skateboard, OVO, 88 Rising, Dior, Hypebeast and many more.
I had the pleasure of asking Fvckrender what aspect of technology he finds most fascinating, how he uses art and technology to bring out emotion, what his experience in the digital art world is, and so much more.
BEAUTY
UZOMAH: As a renowned digital artist with a unique approach to blending technology and art, could you tell us what a typical day in your studio looks like? Do you follow a specific routine that ignites your creativity?
FVCKRENDER: Haha, yeah, my life's pretty simple. I wake up, grab some coffee, blast music, and try to create something. I've been pouring so much time into art lately that I barely get out to enjoy anything else. Honestly, I don’t really have a fixed routine!
CARE SCULPTURE
U: With your extensive experience in the digital art world, what are your anticipations for the future? Are there any particular changes or innovations you eagerly look forward to within the field?
F: I'm really excited about real-time rendering. Honestly, I've never been a fan of how long traditional rendering takes with my work—it just drags on. But to give credit where it’s due, there have been some serious improvements over the last few years.
PERSONAL GROWTH
U: What aspect of using technology in art do you find most fascinating? How do you create realistic digital art that mirrors and expands on the traditional art forms people are accustomed to?
F: It’s incredible how many resources and sources of inspiration we have at our disposal in digital art. The community is largely supportive, offering a wealth of help. Though you’ll encounter some gatekeeping, the people who share their knowledge are the real pioneers in our space.
VIVID DREAM
U: Some of your clients include Ledger, Supreme, Hypebeast, The Hundreds, Swarovski, Dior, Avant Arte, Spotify, and TIME. How do you create art that keeps their brand and what they are known for, maintain your artistic creativity, and create something unique?
F: My goal at the end of the day is to give them my touch and help them bring their unique vision to life with my style and creativity. I just wanna be able to look at a collab and make sure people understand it's a Fvckrender collab!
AROUND THE GLOBE
U: How do you use technology to draw out raw emotion, which you are so known for? How can technology help people understand and better communicate emotions with human beings?
F: The tools at our disposal are incredibly advanced now, and they continue to improve all the time. With these advancements, all you really need is the drive to learn and the willingness to experiment and push the boundaries.
BIOLOGICA
U: Your art has been auctioned off at big auction houses such as Christie's and Sotheby’s. What would you suggest other digital arts do to get their art similar attention?
F: Keep making art that you love, and don't be afraid to try out different mediums and styles. Once you find your unique voice, great things will follow!
FVCKRENDER photo by Randall Slavin
