EDWARD GRANGER.

From the runway to the art world, this queer artist is giving back to others in the hope of a brighter tomorrow.

“Technology and digital media plays a big part in my work, fractals, patterns in nature, my spirituality, and sacred geometries,” explains artist Edward Granger. His work is both challenged and supported by the modern queer world. “I’ve worked with underprivileged schools that don’t have art programs to paint murals with students,” he tells us. “I have worked with Project Zero which is all about talking about climate change, making work that continues that dialogue and helps fund resources to clean up the oceans and help find innovative ways of being more conscious about the earth and our planet. I have also worked with Olafur Eliasson’s Little Sun Project which is to fund and deliver affordable creative energy solutions to people who don’t have access to electricity. For me, the more earth conscious organisations are what I am putting a lot of my focus into.”

And the number three is a recurring theme, but why is it so significant? “It represents the trinity for me, especially for positive energy and my involvement with spiritual development. It’s a number that represents communication with source so it’s a way to organise my patterns, colors and line-work. All lines not comprised of three colors are duplicated two more times throughout my work, always making them three of a kind. When I use the number three as a way to organise, it is a reminder from the universe of my creative potential and this innately divine nature.”

Here we speak to Edward about who brings him inspiration, his future plans, and why giving back is the key to all our success.

When did you first discover your love for art?

I discovered my love for art at a very early age, maybe around age seven. I think my grandmother pushed my creativity and allowed me to run wild with it. I would go to her house after school when I was a kid and she would let me paint, draw, make pottery. She had this old house that had a huge den and I took ownership of that space. My parents never really pushed my creativity. They had a different idea for me and what they wanted me to do so I give credit to my grandma.

Which artists have inspired you the most and why?

I remember going to museums and seeing artists like Sol Lewitt, Cy Twombly, Joan Mitchell, Gerhard Richter, Bernard Frize and just being so enamored mostly by their bold uninhibited use of color, but also their simplicity in process making. For me, brilliant uses of color gives hope and positivity in a society that can seemingly be so drab, full of rigid labels, and one dimensional.

Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?

Everything becomes inspiration for me. I practice patience with my work because it is so structured and pattern or grid-like. This organisational skill in my work is meditative, contemplative, and helps me to organise my thoughts and my life. Technology and digital media plays a big part in my work, fractals, patterns in nature, my spirituality, and sacred geometries.

The number three is a recurring theme in your work. Why is it so significant?

It represents the trinity for me, especially for positive energy and my involvement with spiritual development. It’s a number that represents communication with source so it’s a way to organise my patterns, colors and line-work. All lines not comprised of three colors are duplicated two more times throughout my work, always making them three of a kind. When I use the number three as a way to organise, it is a reminder from the universe of my creative potential and this innately divine nature.

What is the general reaction to your art?

I receive mostly positive interactions. People are very keen on cleanliness, structure, and level of quality in my line-work. I take pride in the repetition of patterns. Again, it’s very meditative to me so I think that’s what people see in it – if they open their minds to it. It’s like getting lost in an MC escher or a maze and I think that’s what attracts people most. You certainly have many different viewpoints and your eye is constantly flowing throughout the work. I do everything from paintings, furniture, clothing, and window displays for fashion companies – there’s always something different to experience with the work when I put it out there.

You’ve supported various causes over the years. What are some causes that are close to your heart?

I’ve worked with underprivileged schools that don’t have art programs to paint murals with students, I have worked with many different LGBTQ programs. I have worked with Project Zero which is all about talking about climate change, making work that continues that dialogue and helps fund resources to clean up the oceans and help find innovative ways of being more conscious about the earth and our planet. I have also worked with Olafur Eliasson’s Little Sun Project which is to fund and deliver affordable creative energy solutions to people who don’t have access to electricity. For me, the more earth conscious organisations are what I am putting a lot of my focus into.

And finally, what are you working on next?

I will be coming out with a new swim collection so be on the lookout in spring. A rug collection, a few commercial murals, and constantly working towards releasing more paintings and making more content everyday. I usually post everything I am doing on my Instagram, so follow me to see what’s happening.