Yakob Morley
📍Melbourne, Australia

How would you describe your work?

Heavily influenced by folk art/tattooing and symbolism. I rely primarily on tried images to create narratives that lean to ambiguity.

What inspires you the most, at the moment?

Inspiration, for me, comes a lot from the process of making the work. A lot of the time when I’ve finished a piece, the act of working on it, gives me something I want to explore further. That could be either narrative or technique.

Of course I’m always inspired by arts, movies etc., but I’ve found that consistency and playfulness in practice creates the most inspiration…that and a good nights sleep.

“I’d really hope that people can just have fun for a moment while looking at the work. Perhaps chew in their minds the interplay of symbols”

You spent many years as a tattooer before shifting your focus to painting full-time. How does that previous experience shape your approach now?

Tattooing has had a massive hand in my work as I tattooed for around 20 years before really taking painting seriously. Particularly the style of arts that I like the look of, be it folk religious stuff, Japanese prints, Tibetan art etc.

The other thing tattooing has helped with is having a work ethic and the discipline of being able to work in the studio-whether I feel like it or not. Just like the habit of creating work.

What do you hope people can take away after seeing your work?

I’d really hope that people can just have fun for a moment while looking at the work. Perhaps chew in their minds the interplay of symbols. Also, I hope they enjoy something handmade with imperfections that isn’t digital or on a screen.

Yakob lives in Melbourne/Mornington Peninsula, Australia
@yakobmorley