Elizabeth Homersham interviews Liam Scully

Art writer Elizabeth Homersham interviews Liam Scully about his project 'Liam Scully's Liquidation Sale' an initiative to raise funds for his forthcoming residency in Skaftfell Iceland.

There's something about the liquidation sale that seems very tongue in cheek and totally in keeping with the tone of the work of yours I've seen. Can you comment on this? I mean I realise that it's a fundraiser but you could have done that more quietly, selling cheaply to people you know or through an 'artist's car boot fair'... I kind of love the theatricality and the literal cheapness of the way you're framing this sale.

 I have always reacted to what is around me, something to do with my impulsive nature. My wife, Vanessa came up with the title and I said yes that is truly brilliant. But like what is happening around us, high streets closing up, families struggling to feed their kids while the rich jolly it up, I am very serious in what I say. I am forever broke yet continue to make my art regardless, the art builds up and storage is becoming impossible. What’s more I have been offered this residency in Iceland and I have to find a way to fund it, this way I kill two birds with one stone, do away with old stock and make some money to make new stock. I do like the cheap element; many artists overrate themselves with ridiculous prices that no one in their right mind should pay. Recently at London art fair I see young galleries showing young artists who are technically competent yet excruciatingly uninteresting; their prices are inflated beyond belief. These are artists likely to drop out of fashion very quickly and the collectors will be left with a worthless picture. Yet a veteran and true original like Rose Wylie can be purchased for as little as £3’000, here you are buying a piece of art history. So it doesn't worry me that I may cheapen myself, I am not a fashionable painter and I am happy to be playing by my own rules.

Private Jet and Bagels, enamel, gaffa tape and acrylic on canvas, 2013

What's up for sale?

 Pretty much everything I have done in the last decade that is still in my possession. Some of the work I consider not so good but I am putting it out there so the people can decide, drawings from 2004, 05,06,07 are there right up with works made the week of the sale. Dieter Roth, an artist who had a studio in Iceland where I am heading was unconcerned with ‘quality control’ this freaked out some of his collaborators such as Richard Hamilton, I relate strongly with that unapologetic attitude.

Coke is it, acrylic on paper, 2004

Anything you don't want to part with?

No everything must go, I have spent long enough with most of the work and I think 2013 is a potential turning point for me, where I can make new work without the burden of older pieces. Who knows I may see the old pieces again one day.

Have you catalogued/photographed the stuff you hope to sell? 

Vanessa has helped document most of the work but there are definitely drawings that have not been photographed, if something like that goes I will snap it with my mobile phone.

Is there some criticism of the art market/the way in which art is valued here?

I guess I feel disenfranchised with the "art market". Since 2003 I have been working hard to make my work and so on, the few occasions where I have shown my work to a potential gallerist they have not wanted to take me on, or things look promising and the gallery goes bust a week later, this is alienating so I have to create my own opportunities. I wouldn't want to criticise the art market as some day I would like to be a part of it, I am simply highlighting at this moment we are separate entities. People often say your work is only worth what people are willing to pay for it and the people I know, or the people that appreciate my work don’t have a lot to spend. Therefore this sale is for the people who genuinely like what I do. The whole sale is an interactive performance where everyone’s a winner.

How cheap are liquidation prices?

Drawings will be as little as £10 up to £700 for my painting of Mr Blobby that is framed. Small paintings are on average £250 but some are £50. Compared to my contemporaries these figures have been liquidised.

a selection from 'Currant Bun series' 2008, acrylic on paper, £75, size A0

Do you intend to explore new techniques or subject matter once all this old work is out of the way?

Yes that is an important part of this whole thing, like business going bust and being bought out by a new company I think after Iceland there will definitely be new things happening.

What do you hope to gain from your residency in Iceland?

Space and fresh air will do wonders for my psyche, I feel my current painting is too much about claustrophobia, anxiety and frustration and I need a change. London is not the most accepting place for my work; I refuse to play up to certain expectations. On the other hand Leipzig in Germany has been very generous in its response to my work, where I have shown numerous times and even sold ambitious scaled work. I hope Iceland will be kind with an appreciation for my energy and style too, I have a feeling I may receive more acclaim abroad, so it is good to expand ones horizons.

Studio and accommodation at Skaftfell in Iceland

Do you hope to meet new people from this sale?

Yes I hope to reach people who are not familiar with my work; that would be great! I love to meet new people.

Does the idea of liquidation/closing down sale imply some concern of yours for other failing businesses, shops and galleries?

Death of the high street is a worrying sight, I dread to think what their replacement will be, more empty offices? It will be a great shame to loose HMV and Jessops, both are stores that I actually enjoyed visiting. These stores are only the tip of the iceberg with many more to follow, however according to government figures unemployment is coming down.

An artist doesn't really ever close down unless death ensues but metaphorically I am closing down a period of my practice and evolving, the money and the removal of my old work is contributing to my future development, you could say the supporters are bailing me out of stagnation.