Movie Characters, Superheroes, Gaming, and even Girls on roller skates, Mute’s form of pop art undeniably stands out from the crowd. Painting about what he loves has proved successful for this Sheffield artist.Originally a Sheffield Hallam student, Dave Huntley A.K.A. Mute, studied film. He was among the last of Hallam’s students to be based at the now empty Arts Campus on Psalter lane, graduating in 2006.
Mute has recently hosted exhibitions in the forum, The Sheffield Art in the Gardens shows and Celluloid Screams Film Festival, where his 80’s film inspired works have caught the eye of many. In addition to this; Mute is the in house artist for the Sheffield Steel Roller Girls, and has had several large commissions including a Superheroes Project. Impressive for an artist in his 20’s? Mute explains to SHUlife that it didn’t all start out that way.
Art had always been a hobby of Mute’s, but he never got on with it as a taught subject – unbelievably he actually failed A level art. Instead, film was Mute’s first passion. This is very evident when looking at his portfolio - a large proportion of his art is inspired by film- especially 80’s film characters. He describes his usual target audience as cult film fans, but explains that his work covers a broader audience too with pieces inspired by different topics such as gaming, and also superhero comics.
Mute explains that it was an article in The Sheffield Star about fellow Sheffield artist Pete McKee, which really inspired him to take the jump into the art business. Mute describes McKee as an inspiration. “Pete’s work is designed as a celebration of a memory, almost all his paintings depict a scene from the past, usually something which people can relate to and remember. I like to think that my work does that too. For example, some people might see one of my 80’s film characters, and think; that’s my favourite character! This in a way means I am designing my work for a specific audience; Pete’s work attracts a much broader audience - but like him I’m painting about what I love and remember – and I’ve found that others love the same things. If you’re passionate about the work you’re doing, it shows.”
Mute started out doing Group Shows; but quickly got noticed. He explained that the Sheffield Art Scene is surprisingly easy to get into, and full of really friendly helpful people. He describes his first solo show at the forum last year, as feeling like a test of his art. His art sold well at the show and this created great grounding for Mute; he was commissioned to do the Superheroes Project after being noticed at the Exhibition- and other projects such as Sheffield Steel Roller Girls commission also followed on from there.
Mute is currently planning his next exhibition for this summer, but if you can’t wait till then, see more of his art at www.mute-art.com.
Jessica Wilson
