Contemporary artist Conor Collins recently unveiled a portrait of Alan Turing, made partially from the blood of gay men, at the launch of the Freedom To Donate awareness week.
We caught up with him to find out more about the project.
Hey Conor, where did you get the idea and inspiration for your Alan Turing piece?
I had liked the idea of the medium of blood however didn’t feel drawn to a particular theme or muse so never started one. However when Freedom to Donate got in touch within minutes I had a clear picture of where I should go with it.
Why Alan Turing?
Alan Turing, through his actions, anonymously saved the lives of millions of people. When you donate blood, you too can anonymously save the lives of others. Not to mention too that despite his world changing genius if he were alive today he wouldn’t be allowed to donate.
How did you even get the blood for the piece in the first place?!
Volunteers were, oddly, very easy to find. People all over the medical world are angry that these rules have not been updated and the unnecessary decimation is still going on. Within a few weeks I had donations from surgeons, GP’S, and Nurses all keen to help raise awareness of this medieval ban.
What’s the feedback been like?
People seem to really like it. I think much of that has to do with the fact that it isn’t as gruesome as it first sounds! Until you are up close you might not even believe that there is blood all over it.
Some of your work has previously utilised social media, such as your portrait of Caitlyn Jenner made from transphobic tweets. How else has social media impacted your art?
I think social media is put on a pedestal, which it shouldn’t necessarily be. It is a great tool however social media only accounts for about 10% of our daily interactions, so 90% of our discussions, debates, opinions and learning still happens organically. Social media is just the newest technology but newspapers are still technology, they are just an older form. So my real goal is to create art that makes people discuss it in person, not just pin it on pinterest. I am just fascinated by how people interact with each other and present themselves as a whole. All the tribal customs from all fringes of society fascinate me, not just on social media! However social media is a very concrete way of proving someone said or did something they may deny!
Do you think social media has made it easier for artists generally?
I think it’s made it easier for them to exhibit themselves without a doubt. My portrait of Caitlyn Jenner was viewed by more people in six days than visit the Moma in two years. That is something an artist like me couldn’t have managed years ago even if they bought every newspaper in New York!
What are you working on now?
I hate spoilers however all I can say is…there’s gold….gun powder…movie stars…and a kiss….and a Palace.
• To see more of Conor Collins’ work, visit www.conartworks.com
