Create GB; Death Spray Custom

Delight & Destroy
Photograpy by Neil Bridge

JournalArt & Culture

Create GB; Death Spray Custom

Provocative artist fuses motorsports and art...

David Gwyther, aka Death Spray Custom, is a man of few words when it comes to his art – “pictures speak better than words, best check out the website” reads his Twitter bio – but, like the man says, when your visuals are this hard-hitting; who needs words? Packing the sort of below the belt punch that Mike Tyson routinely dished out to his opponents (and prostitutes), Death Spray has brought art firmly into the realms of balls-out motorsports… his customised helmets, clothing and art installations – that utilise the likes of car bonnets, petrol cans and tools – are unrelenting in provocation, wit and style.

As we close in on the second week of our Create GB project, we caught up with the man behind this bracing body of work to find out more about his views on British creativity…

Create GB; Death Spray Custom

Anatomy Suit
A collaboration with leading motor & action sports brand Alpinestars
to create a one-off motorcycle race suit.
Photograpy by Neil Bridge

Create GB; Death Spray Custom

21st Century Men at Arms

Where’s your hometown, and where are you based now?

Haverfordwest / London

Do you think location affects creativity?

Yes, you are where you live to some extent

Is Britain’s creative industry too London-centric?

No

How would you describe British creativity?

Original, world leading, see it here first.

Has being British had an effect on your discipline?

In the sense that Britain has it’s own direction, with less influence from the rest of the world

What do you thinking the rest of the world’s view of British creativity is?

Original

Create GB; Death Spray Custom

Lady Cans
Model: Remy Green

Create GB; Death Spray Custom

Brain Box

The Swinging ’60s, punk, Hacienda-era Manchester… is there one period of intense British creativity that you’d like to have been a part of, and why?

World War 2. Creativity mattered more than anything.

Are there any quintessential British traditions that inform your work?

My work is hand made,

Where in Britain do you feel most inspired?

London

The top 3 British creatives who have inspired you?

Hirst, Hewlett, Brunel

If you could collaborate with one GB creative, from any field, who would it be, and why?

Thomas Heatherwick

Create GB; Death Spray Custom

21st Century Men at Arms

Create GB; Death Spray Custom

Paranoia Racing Ducati SSS
Photograpy by Neil Bridge

Will you be watching the Olympics?

Yes

If creativity was an Olympic sport, who’s the one person you’d want to represent Britain on the global stage?

Paul McCartney

Which sport would you like to compete in at London 2012?

Cycling Road Race

You couldn’t live without…

Wheels

What makes you smile?

Malcolm Tucker

The best piece of advice you’ve ever been given…

Do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life

We’re going to the pub and we’re buying, what are you drinking?

Non-alcoholic, I’m riding a bike of some sort home

Create GB; Death Spray Custom

Delight & Destroy
Photograpy by Neil Bridge

Create GB; Death Spray Custom

21st Century Men at Arms

Create GB; Death Spray Custom

Construct & Comply
Photographed by GregoryMild.com

Create GB Clearance