MEN IN THEIR CRAFT - DAMIN RADFORD SCOTT (MILARKY)
If you’ve ever strolled the streets of New Plymouth, chances are you might have seen some of Damin Radford Scott’s art - known to most as Milarky.
For the Taranaki artist, drawing is something he’s always done whether it be street art or gallery work. He never found the need to announce he was ‘an artist’ until later on in life.
“I was on a plane filling out an arrival card and got to the occupation question. It was then that I realised, yeah, I probably am an artist.”
After High School, Damin moved to Wellington, but he didn’t immediately pursue his passion.
“I originally studied physics and German. I thought why would I go to uni to study art and painting when I’m going to do it anyway, but I eventually gave in and studied Fine Arts.”
Nowadays you’ll find Damin back in New Plymouth, selling his work in galleries and working towards solo exhibitions based on the ideas he has been researching.
Damin tries to be factual about the ideas he talks about in his art. A lot of his inspiration comes from things that are happening in the world, environmental issues, the impacts humans are having and most recently the idea of Nomadism, which saw him travel to the States.
“The biggest thing happening right now is what we’re doing to the planet. For the last few years I’ve been working on the concept of Nomadism. I actually went back to uni and did my masters on that subject.”
The highlight of what he does has to be the solo shows. “They’re a big deal and a big driver for me. All attention is on your work, I take it quite seriously and often I try to be so ambitious with what I’m doing that I don’t get a chance to think about the nerves.”
Without the support of his family Damin says he wouldn’t have the confidence to do what he’s doing. When his family helps out at the shows and it all comes together it’s a really cool feeling for him.
Milarky's had 10 solo exhibitions since the age of 17, his first was self-organised in an empty building on Devon St and his most recent was at Kina in 2016.
“My most recent show was called Borderlands, I was researching nomadism but realised through my travel just how significant the fact of borders are and how hard it is to cross the land.”
Damin doesn’t have a set style for his art, it has hints of comic, is full of his ideas and he prefers it to be black and white.
“I create art for people, when I finish it it’s not mine anymore, I find a way to pass on my ideas in a way that can be received, I never expect anyone to arrive at that information but there is a lot I’m saying in there.”
Words by Katie Pettigrew