Vinyl art: Keith Haynes at Old Granada Studios’ Buy Art Fair

The Buy Art Fair takes over Old Granada Studios this weekend. The largest fair of its kind outside London is ideal for anyone interested in creativity. Original and limited edition prints to buy include illustration (fashion, childrens’ books), sculpture, ceramics, photography and painting, as well as pieces by Damien Hirst, Yoko Ono and Tracey Emin. The Manchester Contemporary is taking place at the same time, showcasing critically acclaimed new work and prints to buy. We had a chat with one of the artists taking part, Keith Haynes, ahead of the launch. He’s has been heavily influenced by the Manchester music scene and his work is made of old vinyl which he collects, cuts up and turns into something completely new. The image of Amy Winehouse, pictured, is entitled ‘Amy, Love is Losing Game’.

How did you get into making art from vinyl?
My background is in graphic design. I went to art school with the intention of designing album covers but an opportunity came along at the BBC, so I’ve worked in film and television ever since. I’ve worked on some great programmes – and made a documentary for the BBC series Rock Family Trees where I interviewed Siouxsie Sioux and John Lydon.

How do you manage to combine working as an artist and a job in TV?
By working long days, 7 days a week. That’s more enjoyable than it sounds and the art side doesn’t feel like work. I create pieces that please myself and I’m just lucky enough that others like them too. I work with my wife, who is also an artist, which makes life easier. It means that our evenings, rather than feet up in front of the TV, are spent looking at each other across a mass of broken vinyl and paper.

How do you source vinyl records for your work?
A lot of it is online these days, especially when trying to source specific song titles, but nothing beats browsing through record shops or vinyl fairs. I’m lucky that I have a local car boot sale that is phenomenal for finding vinyl – I have to stop buying when I can’t physically carry anymore. I’m also a collector of records (as well as badges, posters, magazines) so not everything I buy is used in my work. So I guess the more memorable responses are from the few people who object that I’m cutting up vinyl records. But I only use poor or unplayable records in my work – I couldn’t bring myself to use anything in mint condition.

Lots of people would love to be in your shoes – what advice would you give to aspiring artists?
For me it’s important to create for yourself and free yourself from worrying about whether anyone else would appreciate what your making. A sense of humour helps as well.

Are there any Manchester artists you particularly admire?
A visual artist from the Manchester punk scene called Linder Sterling. She was the designer of the Buzzcock’s iconic Orgasm Addict sleeve and the art fanzine Secret Public. Other inspirations would have to be Malcolm Garrett (another designer of Buzzcock’s records) and Peter Saville (Factory Records).

Thu 22-Sun 25 Sep, Old Granada Studios, Quay Street, Manchester, M3 4PR, Thu 5.30-9pm, Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm, £4 for Fri 23-Sun 25 Sep (£12 including opening night on Thu 22 Sep). Manchester Wire readers can get half price tickets using code BAF25 when booking at www.buyartfair.co.uk.