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- “Everyone has something special about them”
Me and my glasses
“Everyone has something special about them”
Street artist, Steve McCracken (also known as ‘NONE HERE’) told OT about his go-to eyewear style and his collaboration with Bird Eyewear
16 October 2022
How long have you worn spectacles for, and what prompted you to go for your first sight test?
I’ve worn spectacles for about 25 years. When I was in primary school an optician came in and gave us all eye tests. I couldn't read the letters. I can’t really remember my reaction but I don’t think I was too keen as glasses weren’t considered cool then. I love wearing glasses now, and they are definitely part of my identity.
How many pairs of spectacles/sunglasses do you own?
I currently have three pairs of glasses and two pairs of sunglasses.
What frame shapes, colours or styles do you usually go for?
The classic thick rims with a tortoise shell design and usually quite circular.
Can you describe your favourite pair?
My favourite pair is slightly different. It is a Bird Eyewear pair called ‘Blackcap.’ They are two-toned and made from wood.
Who would you pick as your style icon when it comes to eyewear?
It has to be Johnny Depp in Secret Window. He used to wear Moscot glasses a lot, which I think are cool.
What does good vision and eye health mean to you?
It is so important to me. I am a painter, so I am always looking at my pictures close-up and far away. I would be lost without my glasses. You have got to look after your eyes – you only get one pair.
How important is eyewear to reflecting your personality?
I feel like I look a bit of an idiot in all other styles of glasses, so I stick to the thick frames and they have become part of my identity I guess.
What are your top tips for selecting the right pair of frames?
Just one: try every pair in the shop on. That’s what I usually do, the frames find you.
The frames find you
How did the collaboration with Bird Eyewear come about?
Could you tell us about the design for the Bird cloth, made as part of your collaboration with Bird Eyewear? What were the inspirations or ideas behind the design?
It is a design I call ‘Pigeon Head Chaos.’ It is made up of a repetition of my signature bird head symbol with one coloured in. The single coloured-in bird head represents the individual, whilst the others stand for the issues and challenges we face day-to-day. At the same time, it expresses the idea that everyone has something special about them. You have something special about you, as does the person next to you, and the person next to them.
Working with Bird was great, Ed is so friendly, it was like I had known him for years. We had a chat and the ‘Chaos’ piece suited the project perfectly. They are such a cool company, it was an honour to be asked.
Could you tell us about your approach to making art accessible and drawing on everyday life?
All of my work is inspired in a way by everyday life. Birds have always featured in my paintings but whilst I was living in London they became more colourful and watery. I missed the sea and while I was unable to keep coming back, these bird became my ocean in a way. Being surrounded by loads of street art, I was inspired to take them to the streets, painting and pasting them everywhere. It was like I was bringing the ocean to the city, a sense of escape and the feeling that I get whilst surfing, to passers-by.
Ed Bird, Bird Eyewear founder, on the collaboration
What led you to reach out to Steve and how did the collaboration come about?
With our head office in Exeter, the team had all seen Steve's work around town. His main artwork uses birds which immediately caught our attention — he was top of our list when we started talking about collaborations.How does the collaboration reflect the work of Bird Eyewear?
Our brand stands for three key things: thoughtful, genuine, playful. These things run through everything we do and are a great match for Steve's values. Needless to say, the ideas came quickly when we got together, and we had a great time working with him.What does it mean for Bird Eyewear to engage with artists in this way?
We love showcasing all kinds of people, including artists, who always bring a richness to life. We have a number of other artist collaborations in the pipeline and each one brings their own story and flavour.
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