July 11, 2012
artist daimon downey
Most people know Daimon Downey from his time with the award-winning band Sneaky Sound System. But now he's making a name for himself as an artist. It's back to where he started out in some regards. He was born in South Africa but grew up in Bellingen, NSW before moving to Sydney to study art. Along the way he got distracted with music, and touring with the likes of Robbie Williams and Lady Gaga. Now he is not only creating artworks but translating them into limited edition scarves, thanks to a collaboration with Bay & Fyfe. Daimon has also opened a bar in Double Bay: Pelicano.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? The world is a magical place, chance meetings in strange places... never planned only dreamt. Creativity has always been the main objective so finding what fits for the present is always the fun struggle. It's the wonderful life. Currently I am painting and turning paintings into scarves. Also, I have just opening a restaurant bar in Double Bay called Pelicano. So much fun!
What's the best lesson you've learnt along the way? If you're unhappy change the situation. Surround yourself with people you love and enjoy, and who love you equally. Do it yourself. And time management (still in practice on that one).
What’s your proudest career achievement? Almost selling everything at my first solo exhibition of paintings and sculpture in Sydney, and winning 2 ARIA awards for our first album.
What’s been your best decision? To leave Sneaky Sound System and pick up a paint brush: freedom to create, move, breathe and not live out of a suitcase.
Who inspires you? People who do a million things at once and smile about it. People who can run an empire from a Moleskin notebook. Men who wear pink three-piece suits to breakfast.
What are you passionate about? Colour and balance! My hate towards t-shirts with branding on the front. Australian native birds. How amazing my scarves look. The love for my cat. Sweet things. Cocktails. Brand new tins of paint.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Not my maker, but to be rolling with Burroughs and Dali in the day would be totally whack. But a simple lunch with Will Ferrell singing karaoke will do. I'm not much for meeting my idols as I have a few on my tours and it most often doesn't end like the fantasy.
What dream do you still want to fulfill? To write a folk album, a children's rap album, make super large scale sculptures, have children, own a monkey, go to Peru, have something hanging in MOMA, win bar of the year, to fly.
What are you reading? I'm a bit slack here. Mags are king in my world. There is a bunch of Bill Bryson books by my bed as I love a bit of fact before bed.
images courtesy of daimon downey and bay & fyfe