Designer Profile:
Monster Mob.
Key People:
Sarah Wright with heaps of help from Alistair Gourley.
Location:
Melbourne, Australia.
Bio/Company History:
Everybody knows one.... you know.... those special characters that come into your life. Maybe its Great Aunt Mildred after a few Sherries at Cousin Doreen’s wedding, taking off her wig and flashing her knickers. Maybe it’s that eccentric guy in a suit who sang Baa Baa Black Sheep at the top of his voice on the number 48 bus from Peckham to Camden High Street. Or maybe it’s a little part of yourself that you’ve been hiding for years. ...you know - that little part that secretively talks to yourself in a silly voice whenever in front of the mirror. To Sarah, MonsterMob represents all those great and tragic people who have flowed through her life... and maybe it’s part of her, but only a small part (honest).
What Drives You:
I am driven by the need to express my thoughts and feelings through my work. For example, I woke up one morning really depressed. Three hours later, in a manic state of creativity, Depressed Kevin was born. I felt fantastic; unfortunately Kevin had to remain a little bit sad! I created something colourful and tactile which made me smile, and hopefully I can share this with other people.
MonsterMob represents how interesting and diverse society is; how so many eclectic, unique individuals can co-exist, or live separately, side by side in a mismatched but unified way.
Inspiration:
Inspiration is so varied, I keep finding so many exciting images and websites that it’s hard to know where to start, but...
Book: “I am Plastic – the designer toy explosion” by Paul Budnitz.
What are you doing when you don’t do this?
I love reading contemporary fiction. Authors such as Hanif Kureishi, Ian McEwan, George Orwell –actually I could go on forever about fiction. I love “The Time traveller’s wife” by Audrey Niffenegger.
I enjoy a glass (or few) of red wine, listening to music and having long discussions that seem very meaningful at the time, but are unfortunately a little vague the next day. I love walking, and visiting interesting exhibitions.
Black or White?
Black and white checks!
Meat or Vege?
Vege.
If you could spend a day with anyone, who would it be and why?
I studied Sociology and would have absolutely loved to have met the French Philosopher Michel Foucault - except he died in the 1984. Foucault took extracts from history and constructed whole theories to explain government propaganda and social control. I think it’s the randomness of some of the facts that he used that has always appealed to me. Failing that, Peter Sellers would be great if Foucault was doing my head in!
Best day in your life so far? Why?
This sounds a bit cheesy, but my wedding day. We got married in Alex, New Zealand, on Alistair’s brother’s berry farm. I had half a bottle of champagne with a friend before the wedding. The celebrant said something (not sure what), to which I proceeded to shout out “I do!”, then he said he hadn’t quite finished (I have always been rather enthusiastic). I did a funny jump and spin in the air and fell about laughing – as did all of the guests. It was just a great day, especially as there was a maze and bouncy castle (I’m not a big kid honest!).
Mac or PC?
PC
Married/Single Kids/Pets?
Husband, no kids or pets.
Describe yourself in 5 words
Silly, honest, serious, big kid.
