Bridget Hodder

People deal with the world’s craziness (Trump, Brexit, gender inequality) in a multitude of different ways. Bridget Hodder opts to put pen to paper and  successfully channels all her frustrations and wisdom into colourful, witty observations. In our latest spotlight, we learn about Bridget’s favourite Adelaide artists and galleries.

Q: Hello Bridget! Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

A: I’ve been working in the art industry for six years, and playing music professionally since I was 15. When I’m not making comics or puns I’m managing a small bar and learning how to dance.

Q: Who inspires you? What inspires your art?

A: I draw a lot of my influences from cartoons – from older stuff such as Ren & Stimpy and The Simpsons, to new stuff like Steven Universe and Rick and Morty. A lot of my material centres around politics and I find that humour and art is a great way to communicate some of the horrors we have to deal with while not overwhelming the audience.

Q : Do you have a preferred medium?

A: If I had the time and money, I’d animate much more. I adore animation and the endless possibilities it gives the creator. The medium helped me through some pretty dark times so it will always be my favourite. Other than that, illustration.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Sarcastic and positively cynical comics.

Q: Can you please describe your artistic and creative process i.e.: from lingering idea to putting it into practice?

A: I try to always have a sketch book with me. Sometimes an idea strikes me, sometimes a friend tells me a story which makes me double over from laughter.  I recently started a series about the worst customers people have served, I put the question out to Facebook and got a plethora of ideas back. Then it’s just putting pen to paper.

Q: Where do you see your art practice taking you in the next five years?

A: I have some book projects that I aim to get published, including a ukulele instruction book. I’m keen to write and illustrate some kid books too.

Q: If you could recommend one artist, who would it be?

A: Just one? This is impossible. I at least have to mention two local artists, Gina of George Rex Comics and Haneen of Zombie Queen Art. They are amazingly talented and have been a great source of help and inspiration to me.

Q: What is your favourite gallery?

A: This is a tie between the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the National Gallery of Victoria.

Q: Where can we find more of your work?

A: I’ve been illustrating a few issues of YEWTH magazine and you can also find my Tumblr and Instagram. 

Q: What is your ideal weekend?

A: Playing a gig,  going down the coast for a surf trip, patting all the dogs and receiving cuddles.

– Masya Zabidi