Artist Nathan’s so excited about his new book
joseph.ali@walesonline.co.uk
NATHAN Wyburn is one of Wales’ finest talents.
Having started out with YouTube videos that put him on the map which landed him some of his first commissions, Wyburn describes his job as a “dream come true”.
Now looking forward to the release of his second self-published book POP tART: The Art of Nathan Wyburn next month, the artist reflects on his crazy 10-year journey.
“It’s been incredible. I’ve always lived the moment’s like it was going to be my last. I never expected to have a career in art. It’s a dream come true”
The 30-year-old pop-artist has been a figure in the LGBT+ community, creating portraits of landmark moments in pop culture history, honouring Gareth Thomas and his HIV work and the first same-sex pairing of Ian “H” Watkins and Matt Evers on Dancing On Ice.
The artist behind the NHS mural depicting a key hospital worker in scrubs, Nathan has lent his skills to support and champion the efforts of the people supporting society describing it as a “duty”.
“I think it’s a duty as an artist, musician or songwriter to reflect on things that are happening. Art can speak to people visually in ways words can’t quite articulate.
“As a proud LGBT+ person myself, I’m able to spread that message coming through the end of bullying at school and loving those things I was picked on for – being gay, ginger, creative – which are now the things I love about myself.”
At such a young age, Wyburn has become a muse for young artists around the UK. Being added to school curriculums and receiving a steady stream of artwork inspired by himself, he describes the feeling as “surreal”.
“I’ve found out I’ve been studied as part of curriculums in schools. To see the kids doing that for me, it’s just a surreal feeling and it feels incredible.”
As a proud Welsh person, Nathan has made every effort to highlight amazing people in Wales – from portraits of Catherine Zeta-Jones, Shirley Bassey and even a mountainside mural of Aneurin Bevan to honour 70 years of the NHS.
“I’m extremely proud to be Welsh,” he says. “You learn about Welsh legends in school and I’ve really tried to portray that in my work, even the Aneurin Bevan portrait I did on a mountainside for the 70th year of the NHS in Tredegar.”
Nathan has also had the opportunity to work with and meet legends such as Mariah Carey.
“I tweeted Mariah Carey the glitter artwork I’d created previously. She retweeted it and a year went by and I got this message from this guy called Bryan wanting a portrait for her birthday.”
Bryan Tanaka, Mariah’s boyfriend, came across Nathan’s work and had a portrait commissioned of the singer and sent to her home in Florida.
After a show at the Royal Albert Hall, Nathan was invited by the singer to hang out backstage where he presented a portrait of her children.
“She’s in her dressing gown, really chilled out. We were having selfies, chilling – it was amazing and so surreal.”
The release of the second book marks Wyburn’s 10-year journey of growth as an artist. As this chapter ends and a new one begins, Wyburn thinks his work will contain more and more passion.
“I think growing up you feel more passionate and stronger about your own voice.
“It’s amazing to look back and see the process of my work and the stuff I’ve used. The materials are so varied. There’s caviar to cat food, it’s an extreme difference. It’s brilliant.”
■ POP tART: The Art of Nathan Wyburn is available to order from www.nathanwyburnstore.com and is released in August