How’s it going, Kinglsey?

Good mate! Just been ticking away with life. A few ups and downs, working on a few projects here and there, shooting some commercial and personal stuff, and skating here and there. A bit of this, a bit of that!

You’re about to launch your first solo show. How are the nerves and planning going?

I’m pretty nervous, I won’t lie! Hopefully, some people will show up! I did a small test exhibition in June with The Tuesday Club at their café – featuring a few paintings, drawings and a complete set of playing cards I designed from scratch. There was some mixed media photography work hanging too, similar to the article in MM71. It was a good vibe, coffee, food and art. I’ve been planning on doing a photo show for a while but, didn’t want to half ass it, really just procrastinating on the idea for years [laughs] knowing it’ll hurt my pocket getting everything framed and printed – plus going through years of files (and a shitty filing system) narrowing down what the hell I want to show. 

Organising all the different types of media, printing, and framing is quite an undertaking.

Oh, 100%! It’s been a few hours in front of the computer after a day on the tools, that’s for sure. Props to anyone who deals with this for a living [laughs]. I’ve been pretty lucky over the years to make some connections with print shops here in Auckland, they’ve been a blessing getting all the prints sorted for me – shoutout to the team at BlinkBoys. The majority of the artwork I’ll be showing has just been sitting in an Eski or under my bed for the last 10 or so years, hence the name of the show. I didn’t want to half ass the framing, though (no Kmart buy one, get one free frames here). I really wanted anyone who purchases a framed print to be stoked with how it sits on the wall.

A few years ago, I had no idea you were also painting and illustrating. Most Manual readers would know you for your photography. When did this become a focus for you, as well?

I wouldn’t really say it became a focus to be completely honest – I wouldn’t class myself as an “artist” – I kind of just use painting and drawing as an extra outlet or a visual diary to illustrate life when I’m bored, pissed off, or I can’t shoot a photo. I was drawing stuff that was super stupid while I was living in this skate flat in my early 20s for a laugh, scanning it in every now and then and posting it to a close friend’s story on Instagram, then throwing it in the drawer never to be seen again. I guess I somewhat developed a style I liked through fucking around with different media, it really just snowballed from there. This year I moved back to my Dad’s house for a while, he’s running on dial up internet, so there wasn’t a lot else to do but doodle and listen to music, that’s when I decided to try make some more serious ideas with drawing — making some playing cards, and printing them – people were into it and they sold out. 

What can people expect to see at the show?

Mainly, it’ll be skate imagery from the last 10 years (or so). I’ve been super lucky to witness some cooked tricks, be invited on some sick trips, and travel to a few countries with skateboarding. Alongside this, some personal stuff – portraits, lifestyle, and polaroids. Plus, the drawing and painting side of what I’ve been doing. It’s a real mixed bag of work, I’m hyped on it. 

What are some of the special pieces from the show that were must-haves?

I mean, fuck, being lucky enough to witness Milton’s carwash kickflip in LA was pretty special. The story behind it, the spot itself and that day were all fucked, there’s no other word for it, especially being a 22-year-old kid from New Zealand. Watching dudes like Colin and Figgy growing up with Stay Gold on repeat and then hanging out with them that day and watching that trick was insane. Forever grateful and in lifetime debt to Lannie Rhoades for hosting me in the States and inviting me out that day. Shout out to everyone in Oceanside for the hospitality and love.

There’s a photo of Grant Taylor here in NZ I’m stoked on, a few of Figgy I shot in LA/SD while he was filming for the Baker video. Chase Collin’s rock ‘n’ roll on the motorway barrier is a personal favourite — from MM70. Hard not to touch on the stuff I’ve shot with Theo and Cato – that’s probably some of my best work, that I’m the most proud of. 

What’s the deal with the gallery it’s being run at? How did that relationship (or opportunity) come about?

It’s being held at The Tuesday Club here in Auckland City. Fynn Blackwood from No-Comply is working at The Tuesday Club. We grew up together in Auckland. The Tuesday Club were working on doing a few events, and he put my name forward in conversation with the events manager, Nat. I went in for a beer and a chat later that week, and we went from there. The space is sick, they were down on my work, we set a date, and now here we are [laughs]. 

What if someone wants to purchase one of your works at the show? I imagine they’ll need to get in quick.

I’ll be selling pretty much everything in the gallery on the night. It’s all framed and ready to hang straight on the wall. Anything that doesn’t sell on the night, I’ll probably end up posting to Instagram, so if you’re reading this and want to help me pay my rent, hit me up [laughs]! They’re all priced pretty well, I know everyone’s balling on a budget right now.

Huge shout out to Manual, Scapegrace, Steinlarger and The Tuesday Club! (There are free beers on the night, so see you there.)

The show is on 23 August, 5 pm til late at The Tuesday Club, 42 Airedale Street, Auckland Central, Auckland.

Follow Kingsley on Instagram at @kingsleyattwood and Tuesday Club @thetuesdayclub_nz.