Graduates 2023: Tobias Starenczak: Illustration

“I wanted the freedom of experimenting with mediums I never tried before, which has resulted in film, animations and photography becoming my primary story-telling methods.”

Please tell us a bit about your work and your influences

My work focuses on social issues, subcultures, and visual identities, with horror serving as a recurring theme because I find it to be a cathartic form of self-expression and a means of raising awareness about social issues/mental health. I thrive on experimentation and am inspired by multi-media artists such as Gerard Way, Zdzislaw Beksinski, and Jamie Hewlett, who remind me that the possibilities and methods for conveying narratives are limitless.

How have you found your course and what made you choose it?

I’ve enjoyed the course because of all the different perspectives it has given me in terms of creating. I chose Illustration because I wanted the freedom of experimenting with mediums I never tried before, which has resulted in film, animations and photography becoming my primary story-telling methods.

Was the location of your course in Brighton more important than you thought it would be?

Yes, Brighton culture is diverse, and as a queer person, it has given me the opportunity to truly explore what my identity means to me. The creative scene has provided me with so much inspiration; seeing all these different styles has allowed my work to grow into something much stronger than it was when I first started the course.

What are your plans after graduation?

I hope to get an internship working in the music industry and in the meantime, I have personal projects and commissions I intend on finishing through the summer.

If you could give your 16-year-old self any advice about going to university what would it be?

Trust yourself more! Sometimes it’s hard to see how the outcome will turn out but enjoy the process because you’ll learn and grow with the project!

 

Find out more about BA(Hons) Illustration

Watch out for news about the Graduate Summer Show

Follow the Brighton Summer Shows on Instagram

 

 

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *