Lost in Time

New Zealand-based artist Kemelyen creates brilliant retro-inspired artworks. From illustrations to animations to his Retrofuturista project, this eccentric artist has made it his mission to produce ugly, enjoyable art.

Writer: Sam Williams

BORN in Guadalajara, Mexico and living in Auckland, New Zealand, Kemelyen is a world-class illustrator, storyboard artist and animator.

Getting a head start in the arts, Kemelyen was employed at a local sign writing shop at the early age of seven. Then, at 14, he began working professionally at a local newspaper, where he picked up the fundamentals of design. He later studied graphic design, also known as ‘publicity drawing,’ at university.

“Eventually, thousands of graphic design schools popped up everywhere and heaps of ‘average’ graphic designers invaded the market,” said Kemelyen. “Since then, I decided not to call myself ‘graphic designer’ but simply an artist.”

With more than 20 years of industry experience, Kemelyen has crafted a notable resume, having worked for companies in the US, Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands, and Australia, including Cartoon Network, Bauer, and GOATi Entertainment. At this time, Kemelyen has developed unique styles and unmatched skills to suit the job at hand, whether it is commercial, commissioned, or personal.

Distinguished by his graphic style, pop-culture influence, and ability to work across a wide range of mediums and medias, Kemelyen’s output is impressively expansive.

His art project, Retrofuturista is the culmination of his work, a stylistic symphony of everything Kemelyen holds dear. Tiki-themed cocktail parties attended by luchadors hosted by Kemelyen himself. These lively artworks pop on paper and canvas, but are truly brought to life on Kemelyen’s dynamic digital canvases. “Basically, a digital canvas is a framed screen that has technology behind designed to display art almost like real,” he explained. Partnering with digital canvas company Vieunite, Kemelyen’s state-of-the-art works are an absolute treat for fans of the avant-garde.

When it comes to inspiration, he isn’t short on muses, drawing from a plethora of styles, cultures, and decades. “A combination of Mexican wrestling movies, mid-century design and architecture, some Bauhaus influence, 50’s American TV shows, lounge and chill-out music,” said Kemelyen. “And fond memories from my childhood, such as having Frosties on Saturday morning while watching cartoons, not getting up early to go to school, no rush. Pure hedonism, pure bliss!” And in assembling this hodgepodge of influences “the result is this Retrofuturista art project – pretty ugly art that makes you feel good.”

And though Kemelyen is a digital wizard, he still loves returning to traditional means of artmaking. “Due to my professional work, most of my artworks were and are made digitally.

For a long time I stopped doing traditional painting, but thanks to my Retrofuturista art project, my hands got dirty again painting watercolour and acrylic artworks,” said Kemelyen.

“After all these years, holding a real paintbrush again and not having the ‘UNDO’ or ‘Control Z’ keys available, is a very pleasant and comforting challenge.”

Be on the lookout for Kemelyen’s most recent projects – a series of retro-inspired travel posters and postcards, and a series of hand-painted wrestling toys.

kemelyen.store

@el_kemelyen

Kemelyen

Lost in Time

Stephanie Langlois

Art & Style Magazine