This week on the Hello Frances Podcast, we chat with British artist, Matthew Callaby, also known as Callaby. Currently based in Montenegro, Callaby uses acrylic on canvas to create cute, chubby characters in a strange, vivid world. His work often features anthropomorphic characters painted in his unique, illustrative style. Despite see-sawing between adorable and disturbing, Callaby’s goal is to create a sense of fun within his work. Shantelle and Callaby discuss his creative journey, what led him to create Based Fish Mafia, the future of digital art, and so much more. If you want to learn more about Based Fish Mafia or Matt, give both accounts a follow on Instagram!
In the world of digital art it would be normal to wonder how more traditional physical artists (painters, sculptors, etc) can succeed. Mr Callaby may just have the answer.
He has been posting images of his acrylic paintings on Instagram for the past 6 years or so and has accumulated quite the following. As he states in our interview, he focuses on “anthropomorphic characters that see-saw between adorable and disturbing”.
While his customers have acquired his physical illustrations he has experienced some early traction with NFTs. A number of his pieces have sold on Foundation and for the first time he’s combining the two via a sale on SuperRare. While the bidding has not yet hit his typical painting sale price, it is directionally headed that way.
It may just be a start but it appears that Mr Callaby has a successful future ahead in the world of crypto art.
What was your first entry into art?
15 years ago I used to be pretty addicted to online gaming on the PS2. Back then you’d have to arrange clan matches etc via forums. On these forums you could have a little image signature below your messages, 650 x 250px or so and I used to love designing these for myself and clan members, on my bootleg Photoshop. This was probably my first entry into design, playing with every filter imaginable and heavy image manipulation. Man, those were good days.
How has your style evolved over time and how would you describe your style today?
Also around that time I became obsessed with street art and started painting a lot, taking influence from that movement. Unlike designing signatures on video game forums I haven’t stopped since. This has slowly developed into my style today, where I often use acrylic on canvas to create cute, chubby characters in a strange, vivid world. My work usually features anthropomorphic characters that see-saw between adorable and disturbing, but my main goal is for the work to be fun.
Prior to selling your NFTs was your art your full-time job?
After graduating art school I worked in advertising for almost 8 years, frantically painting during any spare time I had. But last year, just before the pandemic, I finally made the leap to pursue painting full time and haven’t regretted it since.
Were you previously involved in the cryptocurrency space? If so, how?
A little bit of dabbling, me and my brother bought some DOGE back in 2014, but we can’t access it which is a killer.
What prompted you to begin selling NFTs?
At first I just saw people selling art for Ethereum which was amazing to me and wanted to get involved. Since then the community buzz has really captured me, it’s addictive. It feels like the DeviantArt/ PS2 forum days where everyone is hyping each other. The internet and art scene feels alive again. Also it’s forcing me to try new things with my art and re-think the process which has to be a good thing.
How are your sales going so far?
For me I’m blown away, but it’s nothing compared to a lot of people. I’ve managed to sell 3 pieces on Foundation for around 0.5 Eth each, which has got me embarrassingly hyped.
Have NFTs changed your plans for the future? If so, how?
I’m super excited to start working on a new concept, merging my traditional paintings with digital animations. I’m having to approach my traditional practice in a completely new way and I’m finding it very invigorating.
What do you think would improve your overall experience with NFTs?
Gas fees. I also hope artists continue to make art because they love making art and not get too distracted by the selling side of things.
Do you have any exciting upcoming NFT projects? If so, any that you care to share?
I’ll hopefully be having a little exhibition in the MetaVerse which I’m really excited about. Shout out for Claire Silver for organizing and everything she does for the community. I’ll also be releasing some completely new 3D collection in the next few months, which is a new and exciting journey for me.
Anything else that you care to share?
Thanks for reaching out and thank you Claire Silver, Punk4156, Stani.eth, Rudy, Mark, Moritz and everyone else who has supported me so far in this space.
For the 2013 Sony Music Brit awards after show party, I worked with illustrator Matt Callaby to design these foil printed invitations. We also created limited edition posters, Oyster card wallets, stickers, goody bags & postcards.
The annual Brit Awards have showcased the work of a graphic design student and an artisan chocolatier from Norfolk in front of the biggest names in music.
Matthew Callaby, from Norwich, won a design challenge to students at Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) to create artwork for Sony Music at the event.
"It was an amazing experience," said Mr Callaby, who met Justin Timberlake.
Dale Skipper, from Walsingham, created a "chocolate bouquet" for double Brit Award winner Emeli Sande.
Having originally trained as a ceramist, her work fell under the celebrity spotlight last year after she was commissioned to make gifts for Katy Perry, Coldplay and Blur.
"It's an amazing thing to be asked to create something for the Brits as you get to be part of such a massive thing," said Ms Skipper from the Chocolate Deli.
"I was asked to create Emeli a good luck charm for her dressing room that was flamboyant and that could be personalised, so I came up with the chocolate lolly bouquet - it clearly worked.
"Usually its the London chocolate makers that get all the attention, but clearly people are getting a taste for what Norfolk has to offer."
Mr. Callaby's Brit-winning designs were used by Sony for their awards's after show party.
"I got to go to the Brits and the party to see how the design went down, and I've got a great piece for my portfolio," said the student who lives in Thorpe St Andrew.
Mr Callaby's design was chosen "because it was bold, adventurous and you could see the sheer effort he'd put into creating a stand-out piece of work", said the judges from Sony Music and London-based creative agency FOAM.
The 22-year-old student, who is in his final year of study for a degree in graphic design, said: "It was an amazing experience being introduced to the directors of Sony and having them really genuinely happy with my work.
"I was fortunate enough to be introduced to a number of incredible people and having a quick chat with Justin Timberlake was pretty cool too."
Matthew Callaby spent the evening rubbing shoulders with the likes of Simon Cowell, Harry Styles, Paloma Faith and Justin Timberlake after winning a design challenge for Sony Music.
The project, run by Norwich University of the Arts, saw the 21-year-old, from Thorpe St Andrew, charged with designing the 'visual identity' for the label for this year's awards, including the invitations and envelopes for its aftershow party and a limited edition print for the goody bags.
Matthew said: 'I got to go to the Brits and the party to see how the design went down, and I've got a great piece for my portfolio,' he said. 'It was an amazing experience being introduced to the directors of Sony and having them really genuinely happy with my work. I met music video directors and marketing directors and had a great chat with Justin Timberlake.'
The challenge began when London-based creative agency Foam asked NUA students to pitch ideas for the project.
Shortlisted candidates then got the chance to sell their designs to a panel of experts including Foam creative directors Phil Clandillon and Steve Milbourne, and Emma Pike of Sony Music.
Matthew, who is in his final year of a degree in graphic design, was chosen as the winner.
He spent two weeks at Sony's London offices finalising his designs.
Mr Milbourne said: 'Running the competition with NUA has been great from start to finish. The work entered was of a high calibre and it was particularly close between the three finalists. They all produced extremely high-end and professional work.
'In the end we chose Matthew's because it was bold, adventurous and you could see the sheer effort he'd put into creating a stand-out piece of work. It completely nails the desired effect of branding the Sony Music party as the fun, exciting and contemporary event that it is.
NUA course leader Andrew Campbell said: 'The Sony Music challenge is just the type of brief that gets the students going – big event, big client, big expectations. We are really pleased with the level of work achieved and the insightful feedback the students have received from Steve and Phil throughout the process.
'We are so pleased for Matt and know that he has enjoyed producing the work, and the pressure of working to industry standards and industry deadlines. It's a cracking piece of work by a very talented individual.'