Mylo Elliott

It is a common practise. It takes a little time to get to know a collaborator, the exchange and the exploration. I feel like its a strong connection.

Zhang Le

No, I rarely collaborate with other artists.

Mylo Elliott

Yes, recently I’ve been in two major project collaborations. I left Masters in 2017, which was by nature a big collaboration.

Since then I’ve had the opportunity to work with a mentor, and that has developed, to a series of outcomes. So far i found it was a beneficial exercise between friends, artists. To work with Le has been great, getting to know someone by their practise. I also paint graffiti, which is a great meeting of artists.

Mylo Elliott

I wasn’t sure, as I had an idea that China is approx the other side of the world from Europe. I thought the 9am start would be late night, but Le seemed to be working longer- so I had to ask, and i’m glad that I did. I’ve been noting times of emails back and forth, it gets late.

Whilst waiting for the call, what typically happens? Do you get nervous and is there a set routine?

Mylo Elliott

The project is not the first time I've been creative in my living space. Over the past four years, after leaving university studios behind, I've lived without a studio.

To start the Open Books project I've been working on paper and continuing to write. I had an idea to make a film, but returned to paper and pen. I think that all of the material and ideas I wanted to use in a film, a tribute, will work and are worth experimenting with in the book format.

Zhang Le

Very good, but then we talked a lot, not strangers. Yes, but we communicate in writing, so it needs waiting.

Mylo Elliott

I’ve been introduced on another level to people I’d be working with- contemporaries at university, and painting graffiti. So there's been many new faces. The connections made, with artists over the years have been great, Le no exception. The conditions of the collaboration, language barriers, haven't stopped it being a great experience.

Zhang Le

The way of our work is a  like old-time exchanging letters. So it's very good. 

Mylo Elliott

Le is a tough Chinaman. He wasn't put off by problems understanding each other. We have moved at a very slow rate and share the ideas of the collaboration equally. That makes for a good working environment..

Zhang Le

There is no 100% understanding, rather, error of understanding is the wonderful thing of art. So, what need is there to be safe?

Just feelings.

It will be better to add entity on display.

Mylo Elliott

The meeting of two artists, representing two art forms feels very real in that the experience seemed to unfold over a sincere conversation. I think we got on from the beginning.  

Zhang Le

Mylo Elliott

There's a lot to be said of collaborations, the conditions in which we work and the exploration of our subject areas. I think I'm glad to have had an opportunity like this, and after the halfway meeting I can see the others are enjoying too.

Zhang Le

Very good, but then we talked a lot, not strangers.

Mylo Elliott

I've just googled ‘Privacy as a Fine Artist’. I'm seeing already ‘betrayal of privacy, and it being an area of ‘inspiration’. I'm sure that while I put out ideas that raise questions, my area of work is challenging at times confrontational- even if it’s not my intention.

I always wanted to put myself into my work as self-expressive, and because I've been unwell, this is part an art of self-expression. If there's anything left I'm not sure it’s art.

Zhang Le

My writing on works is with my own privacy.

Mylo Elliott

Artists and audience work to make connections. The connections are in a broad area and to me, escape is a broad term that comes under the same umbrella. As artists become more purposeful, these conditions, these aspects become routes to travel down.

Joining in a major project as a graffiti artist, the idea of escape equates to me as a purpose for doing things, because who wants to live in four walls on the same street, I don’t. Graffiti art is good for me and book making has been a great departure from the everyday, as good as showing the work will be, I’m sure. 

Zhang Le

Yes, of course. Every great works are the way to escape.

Mylo Elliott

In the last few years, I've been trying to slow down my process. In 2017 I completed my masters and graduated as a hardworking, late night grafting individual. Taking on opportunities like residencies, major projects, exhibitions and installations have helped shape my practice, and adapt. This project has been a release of pressure and an intake of positive thoughts and feelings.

The experience has continued to bring new aspects to my work, organising and providing while trying to show balance and appreciation for Zhang Le as a very competent mainly Chinese language speaker and artist.

Zhang Le

I don’t know, maybe I will write more..

Mylo Elliott

Having a vivid imagination, my expectations were largely in my partner Zhang Le. When I was told I’d been paired with a Doctorate artist in China I had to start afresh. All sorts of questions arose in conversation with my friends and family. I was sure that at some point or another I might cross a line (someone else’s line) and land us in potential trouble. I was talking about graffiti and street art. Don’t say this, don’t mention that - my partner was blessed, focused and happy, Communist by region. Very little if anything at all got in the way of our work in progress. We exchanged ideas, exploring and creating outcomes, in stages we slowly built a number of pieces. I think that Zhang Le and myself stayed within the boundaries of sensibility and to that end achieved what turned out to be inclusive of what I thought, worried and expected to be no go areas.   

Le being a calligrapher and with my background in graffiti, we found a connection in written word. Having joined Open Books on the strength of my work, and Le’s amazing studies I had a few expectations about what we would make - but most of the work was processed and generated as we moved along. I think this is a reflection on the temperament of both artists, not a reflection on efficiency and ability to plan - something both of us can do. The practicalities of the project weren't limited by the language we didn't understand, but the language we shared, the visual and the gestural. Our final piece was completed to that end. 

Zhang Le

No, this is a very good cooperation.