Mike Weston
Perhaps best known as half of collaborative art brand Weston Frizzell, with Otis Frizzell, Mike’s work is characterised by collaboration, collage, frequent engagment in socio-politcial issues and current affairs, and with a deft integration of creative business modelling in social activist strategies.
Born and raised in Dunedin NZ to parents high profile in entertainment and news media, his formative years were spent riding a skateboard and immersed in the emerging “Dunedin sound” alternative music movement. Having established a mode of creative practice in the DIY aesthetic of the skateboarding and punk revolutions, over a 35+ year career he evolved independently as artist, multi media producer, musician, composer, designer, art director and artist manager.
Relocating to Auckland in the mid 80’s he worked as a recording studio engineer, electronic music programmer and synthesist, live sound mixer and producer, creatively and technically engaged innovating alternative electronic sound and visual art. A product of the warehouse habitat and party scene of late 80’s Auckland, his studio and art production practice evolved through a series of locations and reinventions, working in a wide variety of media and projects, into the current West Auckland based operational identity The Area.
Output fromThe Area includes paintings, fine art prints, electronic music, video, design, photography, merchandise, and art and music events. A selection of his art print works number amongst NZ all time biggest sellers. His fine art output is represented by Artis gallery.
Lewis Tennant interviews Mike Weston for Verbal Highs
Simon Sweetman interviews Mike Weston for Off the Tracks
photo : Cally Whitham