Collaboration is a powerful tool for any artist. In fact, merely being in the presence of someone who is working on a similar task can severely boost your ability.
A mistake artists often gravitate towards is working with others who have similar attitudes and processes. Sure, working as a streamlined team with people you know is a fun and rewarding experience in its own right, but true collaboration is about testing the limits; about pushing yourself and your work like never before.
The team at Adobe know that well, which is why they brought together sign painter/gold-leaf artist Ken Davis and tattoo/stained glass artist Robert Klem to work on a project that would infuse their varied skills and experience to produce a ‘Collabogram’ of their own choosing.
The result was Zero Compromise, a 10-foot tribute to Motörhead’s late great Lemmy Kilmister. Surrounded by candles, LEDs, and frames featuring key lyrics and references to the band is an impressive stained glass rendering of the man himself.
As the title suggests, the work goes beyond being a simple dedication to an iconic musician and his songs, but encapsulates the strength and dedication required to not just create, but to exist as an artist. “Things of significance take that pound of flesh,” states Ken. Or, as Lemmy’s Ace of Spades tattoo reminded us, “Born to lose, live to win”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-pj_DiPbUw
Ken and Klem then took over Photoshop’s Instagram account – @photoshop – to offer some behind the scenes insight into their work processes. Though they are entirely unalike on the surface, the project goes to show what’s possible when artists unite in their passion for creativity and excellence.
Two more Collabograms will roll out within the next few months: in November, a culinary artist will join an illustrator on a project based on the theme ‘Mermaids Taking Selfies’, while an embroiderer and iron worker will release ‘Scorpion/Duality’ in January.