Peace, Love and Randomness

Spencer Harrington, who paints under the alias 'RANDOM', is a young urban artist who has exhibited widely in the short time he has devoted himself to being a fulltime artist. He uses an extensive range of usual and unusual materials in stunningly innovative ways. These works have found their way into collections across New Zealand and now into Europe, America and Japan.

Random pushes himself and the visual expectations of the viewer to the limit. Projects include artistically covering the iconic 'Fish 'n Chip shop at Piha, being commissioned to take complete creative control of the fit-out for Auckland University's 'The Hanger' café (see more below), collaborating with fashion labels and cap designers, exhibiting his works in collaborative shows across Japan, and reporting as the Japanese columnist for MORPH in his monthly missive ‘Land of the Rising Sun’.

Random now resides in Tokyo, Japan where he creates full-time. 


How would you best describe yourself?

Wow, straight to the tough questions! Umm…positive, last minute, never say no, sleepless, random, ambitious, self taught, thoughtful, definitely ‘Lost In Translation’, creative criminal, skateboarding, work hard PLAY HARDER type of guy I guess.

Can you tell us a bit more about your work at ‘The Hanger’ café?

Sure, in Feburary, 09' I was approached by Redbull NZ. They needed a creative mind to come up with ideas and solutions to design, paint, build, and create an old cafe at Auckland University into...A HANGAR (why a hangar?  Because "Redbull gives you wings"). Something “new, amazing, and realistic” were the project outlines.

I had 28 days to transform a small, dingy basement cafe into a realistic looking aeroplane hanger with everything a cafe needs plus more. Realistic painting techniques and optical illusions seemed to be what was needed. I was given full creative control and a big budget, and was in-charge of the painters, builders, and electricians. Not having any interior design experience made this a MASSIVE task but I didn’t let that get in the way of this opportunity. Believe me, it was a HUGE learning experience.

Eighteen hour days with a total of eight all-nighters. Thank-you Redbull for the very necessary energy drinks to help me achieve this!!! All and all it was a lot of fun, both Redbull NZ and I were very happy with the finished product.

What inspires you in Tokyo?

Everything! Every aspect of Japanese daily life and culture is visually stimulating. From chilling out at the famous Shibuya Intersection with the super-size video monitors and over-the-top neons, to walking along the train tracks amongst a eerily still Tokyo metropolis at two in the morning to being among that one week where every tree turns the most extreme Autumn colours and it starts ‘snowing’ foliage.

What’s next (after Tokyo)?

I can’t say no to New Zealand much longer. I am ready to go back and recharge my batteries very soon. I’m choc-a-block with new ideas for shows and installations and I’m returning with a little bit more understanding of this crazy world we live in, and taking what’s productive and positive out of it. But I’ve realised if I can do Tokyo (and survive) then I can live ANYWHERE, easily!

Things that I have up my sleeve are Cuba and also New York for a small stint to make the most of the contacts I have made there as well seeing my Auntie and inspiration, Joanne Gair.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen/experienced in Tokyo?

Where do I begin (and how much can I say on this family friendly magazine? haha)? That is a tough question as Tokyo is the most opposite place to NZ, ON EARTH! Almost everything is strange and new.

For me, a stand out thing is the huge amount of unspoken respect the Japanese people have toward one another and their possessions. No where else in the world can you leave your laptop on a café table while you use the bathroom, or have your bag returned to you by the police (three weeks in a row…don’t ask) after losing it on a night out in town, or have the casher chase you down the road if you left the few yen change with him at the till?

What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?

Another tough one.  I am stoked with every new piece I create, whether body-painting, commission or mural.  But really, I think my best achievement is not necessarily an individual work or project but the fact that after a few years as a full-time artist, with the constant struggle and frustration that goes hand-in hand with it, ‘I am still here’. I still wake up with a smile on my face, happy that I am creating, expressing, achieving and doing something that I love, something I know I’ll be doing till that day I die, success or not.