Gab Bois is the orchestrator of objects - an artist who befriends the props and accessories of our everyday and turns them into stars of her weird, wild and wonderful parade. Her work is surreal and ingenious - Brussels sprout bracelets, a sweater of sweets and the aptly named shell phone just a few of her reality twisting concepts. In between Gabs creative escapades we were lucky enough to ask her a few questions about her life, influences and interests. We hope you enjoy discovering more about one of our favourite modern day artists!
Where are you from and has this influenced any of your work?
I’m from Montreal, Canada. The fact that we have four very distinct seasons here is the thing that impacts my work the most. I like to work with nature for spring and summer and tend to do more indoorsy concepts for fall and winter. As much as I hate the cold, I love seeing the leaves colour change and mountains of snow piling up. This variety of visual stimulation definitely has an impact on my work.
"It’s been only a year since I quit my day job and am able to support myself only from my creative work"
We take it you have had a pretty creative background/ upbringing, when did you decide that you would start creating content like you do today (for a living)?
I started making these images for fun, getting heavily inspired by images I’d see on Tumblr and other creators that were doing stuff I liked on Instagram. It took a minute for me to find my own voice, to figure out what I liked to see and, most importantly, what I liked to make. It’s been only a year since I quit my day job and am able to support myself only from my creative work. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me and I’m thankful for it every day.
We literally look forward to every time you post because time and time again it is going to be weird, wild and edgy - is this your personality coming across in any of your pieces?
Haha yay, I’m glad! Hmmm… yes and no. I mean, I definitely have my weird, wild
and edgy moments but these aren’t words I would use to describe myself in
general. My work reflects my interests at that moment, so I guess a part of my
personality comes through with that.
"I’ve been wanting to experiment with oversized objects for a while"
Artists/ content creators like you are very hard to come by, it seems you view the world through completely different eyes to the average person - are all everyday objects a potential ‘victim/star’ of your work?
Thank you very much, I’m glad you think so. I don’t think of objects as victims of my work as they are so very important to my process and I hold so much respect for them. They’re kind of creative partners, my main source of inspiration, guiding me just by existing, my work is an homage to that relationship.
What object, that you haven’t used just yet, are you desperate to incorporate into one of your designs?
It’s not a specific object but I’ve been wanting to experiment with oversized objects for a while. I worked with miniatures in the past and it’s something I really enjoyed. I’d like to try the opposite and work with giant things, like food items for example. Right now, the only thing that’s really stopping me is space but I hope that’s something I get to do in the future.
What unlikely object has been the funnest to experiment with?
Anything with vegetables is always so much fun. I don’t know why but I love the way they photograph.
What is an ‘average’ (if you can call it that) day in the life of Gab Bois?
Chai tea, emails, going to the dog park to look at the dogs (or looking out the window for them if it’s cold out), taking photos and/or editing while listening to true crime podcasts, playing Boggle with my boyfriend, FaceTiming my mom and good night.
"...it’s always a great feeling to be able to share my work outside of the digital format..."
We have seen some outdoor exhibitions of your work (via your instagram) do you do these types of things regularly? And is there many physical events that you have taken part in/ plan on being present at in the future?
Not regularly, but it’s always a great feeling to be able to share my work outside of the digital format when that happens. My work has been shown in some gallery shows in the past and these experiences have a special place in my heart. As far as the future goes, it’s hard to say as most public events are being hosted online due to the virus, but if and when events like that happen again, I’d love to be involved as much as I can.
What are your other passions and interests aside from art?
This one is probably gonna make me sound a lot older than I am, but I love collecting dishes, food-shaped ones in particular, I’m very passionate about board games, sudoku and cross-word puzzles. Last but not least, I’m a huge dog lover, I love all dogs but small ones are my favourites. I’m not currently allowed to have one in my apartment, and I’m allergic, but I can’t wait to have one.
"...it’s a blessing to know someone you can relate to and who can relate to you"
Another page we absolutely love is that of Nicole McLaughlin. Whilst both of your ideas are totally different and unique you both clearly share similar tastes and interest in terms of fashion and design. Do you ever share ideas with other creatives like yourself and help one another take Instagram by storm?
I’m so glad you brought up Nicole because she’s my closest friend in the Instagram creative space. We met almost two years ago in New York and have kept in touch regularly ever since. Both our processes have lots of similarities, as it’s super DIY so it’s always great to share our best and worst behind the scenes stories. I’m really grateful to have her as a close friend. As much as I love working on my own and at my own pace, it does get lonely sometimes so it’s a blessing to know someone you can relate to and who can relate to you.
We would happily have several of your works of art decorating our walls, is this something your fans are able to purchase at the minute? And if not is this something that you have ever considered?
Totally! It’s not really advertised anywhere but I accept custom print orders as they come through email or dm.
"I have some great collaborations coming up and can’t wait to share all of that with the world"
What have we got to look forward to from Gab Bois in the near future?
After a year in the making, my first photo book just came out so that’s super exciting. I’m mostly focused on wrapping up 2020 right now but I have some great collaborations coming up and can’t wait to share all of that with the world.
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