#19 Street Art, Community Exchange Projects and Living Outside Societal Norms - a podcast by Michelle Boyde

My guest today is Cam Scott who is a street & gallery artist and diversified maker who goes under the name of NOTNOT. He was born in New York, but grew up in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, where you can see his street art all over the community.

He studied fine art at the University of New South Wales and has been exhibited in numerous shows both here and abroad. Predominantly working with reflective and transparent materials, his unconventional printmaking practice merges digital and analogue processes.

He’s an artist, a surfer and an inventor. You may know his Digital Realities Street Art which he talks about in his TEDx Talk and in his new book. He’s also the creator of Sunnys Eyewear and more.

In today episode we chatted all about living an as artist outside of societal norms, Cam’s many inventions and the value of community exchange projects including his North Bondi Board Share:

• [2.28] Cam wanted to be an inventor, he used to draw himself with a white coat and test tubes. 
• [3.20] Cam makes wooden boards and adds foam so it’s easier to catch and more fun to ride.
• [5.13] He also made a Christmas tree for Bondi’s QT based on the surf boards he makes for the community. 
• [6.15] Cam’s been working as an artist for over a decade
• [7.24] After uni was torn between a marketing profession and did some of that but kept making art alongside. 
• [9.54] Cam’s book is on sale at the MCA. A public series of art called Digital Realities for five years. 
• [13.00] Street art permissions
• [14.50] Graffiti is about taking space, bravado, putting their name on it and making that public arena their own. Street art is about making it better. 
• [16.35] How NOTNOT came about. 
• [17.46] Designing his lifestyle: turning something interesting into something that can sustain you. 
• [19.25] Pat, from Sunburnt Mess (the best surf ship in Bondi!) helped gave advice around getting them produced. Cam worked with the Fred Hollows Foundation on a Vivid installation. They offer eye surgeries to return peoples sight. He decided that $5 of every pair of Sunnys goes direct to the Foundation.
• [21.00] Surf hats: based on Legionnaires hat, he has created a design that connects to the wetsuit zip so you don’t lose it in the surf.
• [23.30] The creative process, where Cam looks to for inspiration
• [25.40] The idea of the original can be detrimental.  
• [28.30] Interpretation of work: great worry for an artist
• [30.30] North Bondi Board Share is all about community custodianship. 
• [35.30] One of the North Bondi Board Share boards escaped on a train from Bondi. 
• [37.17] Cam’s tips for being an artist
• [38.00] It’s the best way you can live.  You need to be quite strong to situate yourself in a different way.
• [40.40] Surfers and running! 
• [42.00] More gallery work coming! Twenty Twenty Six Gallery on O’Brien Street, Bondi. Cam’s exhibition of Oceanic Abstractions was postponed in January due to Covid, but coming up soon.

You can follow his adventures on Instagram or visit this website.

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