Yakob Morley is a self-taught painter based in Melbourne, who blends folk art, symbology, word play and mysticism into energetic pieces that reflect his love for all things handcrafted.
He believes that making things and being surrounded by handmade art and objects work as an antidote to the malaise caused by our soulless, technocratic environment.
Yakob has recently joined our F&F Stable as a Good Times artist. We are pleased to share our recent interview with him, which explains his creative journey and inspiration behind his paintings.
What was your journey like in becoming an artist? How did you get started?
I started to paint heavily in around 2018, after dabbling in prior years. Initially just wanting some large pieces for my home but I got hooked on the freedom of painting. After a while it took over my life and fortunately people started buying them. I’ve been very lucky like that.
Making art has its own rewards but being able to sell them means I can make more.
Can you tell us what’s involved in your creative process when developing new work?
It depends on the kind of piece I’m making. Sometimes, I like to start without a plan and see where it takes me—just have fun and experiment with textures or something. Other times, I’ll make a small rough painting on cardboard and use that as a reference for the final piece. I think it’s important to follow my instincts and paint in the mood I’m feeling at that particular moment.
Can you describe your work in three words?
Hopefully not boring.
You were previously a tattoo artist. Do you think that has impacted your creative practice now? How so?
Working previously as a tattoo artist has greatly informed my paintings in so many ways. Tattoo imagery is very pure and distilled and you can express the full range of human emotions with them, so I like to play with that a bit. Also the use of outlines and flat colours is something I love. I also learnt discipline being a tattoo artist – I had to turn up and make something even if I’m not really in the mood. I’m usually in the mood though haha.
Tell us a bit about the artworks you’ve made for the Good Times collection. What does the work mean to you?
The work for ‘Good Times’ was right up my alley, as it gave me a reason to paint with a palette that feels familiar to me and to create some punchy images. I really tried to have fun with the work, and hopefully that comes through.
How do you think your style has changed over the years? Has becoming a father changed how you work or changed your source of inspiration?
I think I’ve developed a stronger sense for the physical aspect of painting. I feel much freer now because I have so many paintings under my belt. I know how I like the paint to look—and how I don’t. I’m more comfortable with the process and no longer get as lost as I used to.
Having a child has forced me to become more systematic in my approach and more disciplined in keeping the studio space organised. I’m not as time rich as I once was, so I try to make the most of the hours I get to work.
View Good Times collection here.
