’At the end of each day, somebody has to be here to turn the lights out. I don't mind being that person.' As a part of artist-in-residence series, we spoke to one of our more multifarious and involved community members, Enoch Orious. Enoch is a visionary artist, who isn't so much finding his style, as he is simply discovering many styles. We spoke about what a visionary approach to art involves, the often frustrating relationship an artist has with their muse, as well as the reasons for his enjoyed immersion within XCHC.
Tell us about your usual craft and artistic pursuit.
'I don't have a 'usual' craft or artistic method; nothing typical. I started with writing many years ago; a lot of critical reflections through journaling. I then started drawing; reproducing what I experienced with my psyche. It previously infuriated me that I had no control over the artistic process. I didn't feel as though I was creating anything, instead it felt as if I was stealing it from some other source. But then through my writing I began to realise how self-critical I was becoming, and I learned instead that art can be anything as long as you do not put any constraints on it. A lot of my art is so 'whack', that I think many people wouldn't class it as art, as it would be perceived as 'weird' I paint on mirrors, polaroids, and masks. I use a lot of words in my art, in an attempt to bring people into my world. In that way, I think I am a visionary artist, if anything.'
What does visionary art involve for you?
'Visionary art is taking what comes to mind, and treating like the perfect thing to influence your artistic process. It's not allowing yourself to become stuck in a box that constrains your artistic expression. I am waiting on a series of mirror right now, but I could smash those mirror and turn them into a mosaic. I just trust that the process, as it unfolds itself to me, is the right process. In that way, I steal the creativity from the part of the universe that is presenting it to me.
The polaroid series that I am doing is an example of visionary art. I had no idea whether I had talent with the camera, but I am not allowing that thought process to prevent me from what I am doing. It's been really fun, and it just keeps coming out from me.'
Why have you been capturing a polaroid series on the XCHC community?
'I've been taking these polaroids because it's a hell of a lot of fun, and people really enjoy them. I find a lot of joy in capturing them, but they have a bit of a life of their own. Preston approached me and asked if I could document the XCHC community through polaroid, so this particular series was captured at Sunday Mass, where many participants wear some wacky, awesome outfits. It's a tarot inspired piece that represents the energy of each individual person, so I've coloured each card to reflect this. I've been a tarot Sharman for many years now, so I incorporate metaphysical elements into a lot of my work. I also love polaroids because they are so candid; they can be captured on the fly, and the often develop in surprising ways. Once the polaroid is done, it's done.'
You want people to engage with your art in a peculiar way. Why is this?
'My art is not for me, it is for everyone else. This piece here, for example [ten metre long canvas] is for people to walk all over. It would be obnoxious to hang it on a ceiling or a wall, I want people to claim back some power over the art that has often been influenced by them; I encourage people to make my art their own. If someone was to break one of the mirrors [that I am painting on] I would welcome that as their expression, or contribution to the piece. I treat my art as a gift to others.
Why have you immersed yourself so much in the XCHC community?
I discovered the XCHC through my friend, Lou [Louis Meehan, previous artist-in-residence interviewed]. I came to love the exchange that occurs between all personalities here; Art Social, for example. In the same vein as my visionary art, I like to live by the mantra of 'doing the right thing, not the easy thing', so this guides my participation with various events and exhibitions at XCHC, even if they have nothing to do with me. That is one way that we are going to help the XCHC grow as a community into the future.
What is the next step on your artistic path?
The thing about visionary art is that it is quite intuitive. In that way, it does not really allow for a 'forecasted' next step; the next step will just come to me. If something comes to me in the moment, I will just create that. I think I can sense what is happening for me, maybe an exhibition with my smokey mirrors—which are all a metaphysical reflections of myself—but ultimately the universe is paving my path for me.
Enoch's work can be viewed via his instagram: @ispywithmythirdeye
He always welcomes people to engage with his art, and query him on his artistic vision. Just watch out for his open portals (they'll be signposted).
Photography: Isaac McCarthy (insta: @isaactmccarthy)
Note: This article was first published on Patreon in July 2020. Have a look and sign up here if you’d like to support the our artists: https://patreon.com/exchange