New Artist Alert - Holy Moly

Holy Moly’s inimitable brand of dazzling multimedia graphics leaves a retinal imprint like no other. As he joins the ranks at CIA we let Carl Crozier step up to the mike and introduce himself.

Carl Crozier is the creative force behind the visual slap-around-the-chops that is Holy Moly. The boundless energy and saturated colours make for an ultra-dynamic and magnetic artistic language that seems to sit on any surface and at any scale. Based in the UK creative hotbed that is Bristol we’re very happy to see him in the agency and here he offers some insights into how it all began and where it might go next!

"I’m based in Easton Rd Studios (Bristol UK) in a small but perfectly formed workspace. Honestly, it’s my sanctuary and has finally provided a home for “Nigel", the 7-foot sculpture I painted a few years ago (he definitely overstayed his welcome at my house!). With a myriad of my own prints on the walls as well as some of my favourite artists to keep me inspired, the rest of the space is a creative playground, stocked with everything from acrylics and spray cans to paint markers. With a dual-screen setup with Wacom tablet and iPad for digital work, it's ideal for working on both analogue and digital projects simultaneously.

My concepts usually start as rough sketches, which I then develop digitally, though lately, since my sons were born I'll admit my pure sketchbook practice has taken a backseat to digital experimentation. But I'm determined to make regular sketchbook time a more prominent part of my creative process, letting it inform my digital practice more directly. It's not just important for my work; it's incredibly meditative. A couple of hours sketching always leaves me feeling calm and refreshed. I feel so grateful for my studio space and can't help but smile every time I walk in, but (although Asia calls to me) we actually have eyes on relocating somewhere sunny for year not too far from home, currently eyeing coastal Portugal. My partner demands sun, sea and Sangria! 

Ironically, considering my background in graphic design and my love-hate relationship with typography (a struggle exacerbated by my dyslexia), I've found myself in a passionate typographic phase. This unexpected turn began with a fairly lazy piece of Valentine's content. Inspired by a Tribeca Film Festival's campaign, I placed words within ripped clipping paths, creating my "Love is Love" piece – a design I’m still super proud of for its simplicity.

Though a one-off for years, I recently revisited this technique, developing it into a more unique style. I divide the canvas into various sections, filling each with type and patterns, often playing with perspective to flatten 3D elements into a 2D experience and then colour with a saturated colour palette. I'm drawn to type that requires a bit of decoding, perhaps fragmented or rearranged, mirroring my own experience with written language while simultaneously transforming it into a more visual form.

But typography isn't the whole story. My illustrative character work has also become much more dynamic. There are parallels with my typographic pieces, particularly in the color palettes, the way elements are divided, and the overall treatment. I'm actively exploring a more organic use of digital tools to achieve a more energetic and vibrant aesthetic.

One of my favourite personal projects was a tribute to the "Jibaro" episode of the groundbreaking animated series ‘Love Death & Robots’ . This particular episode, directed by Alberto Mielgo, is a masterclass. I was so inspired that I had to create some fan art. The siren's adornment of gold and gems led me to experiment with a hybrid print, incorporating screen-printed gold. The result was stunning, but production challenges with the gold layer alignment meant we only ever produced a single gold print. This piece remains incredibly special to me. Perhaps one day I'll be able to create a full gold version in a licensed capacity… Alberto, Netflix…are you listening?

Another ambition would be to work with a big sports brand, something high energy! A client that would provide me with the opportunity to use a blend of my character illustration and typography in unison. Adidas or Nike maybe. I’m always a massive fan of the artists they tend to opt for so that would be a dream come true.

I’ve been inspired and influenced by so many artists along the way. A dream collaborative partner would be my all time favourite ‘James Jean’, a Taiwanese-American artist based in L.A. I’ve a print of his in my studio and honestly I consider it an extra window it’s glorious and I think his work has had a profound influence on me. I’d love see some of my artwork or typography colliding with his in some way.. but mostly i’d like to collaborate with him in the hope that some of his genius rub off on me.

But my influences reach back further than my learning and professional experiences. I’d say I come from an artistic family, although I’m the only one to turn it into a career. I think I owe most of my creative genes to my father who was an illustrator and a writer. Despite his absence during my childhood, I'm grateful for that legacy. My Mother has a creative streak too, I remember her painting a typographic design on the bottom of my skateboard when I was little and being in awe by the steadiness in which she did the line-work. My sister and I have both been drawn to artistic expression—it's definitely in our genes.

More Holy Moly here.

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