Gutterdust is the epic alias of Andy Wauman, artist, photographer and wanderer. Originally born in Belgium, Andy has created in almost every medium possible and traveled nearly everywhere on the planet. He caught our eye with some of his film photos and since then he’s continued to inspire us with his filmmaking, painting and sculpting. We asked him to curate a few images and answer a few questions. He obliged and we’re pretty sure you’ll see that is a very rad thing.
WHAT YOUTH: What’s your story, where you from, how’d you get here?
Gutterdust: I started writing poetry at an early age. At some point I stumbled into contemporary art, made a few paintings, some sculptures and installations. Lately I’ve been doing lots of photography and I feel like I’m also heading towards film. I’m working on my first feature now. It’s a graphic novel in motion, 35 min. I wrote a novel in 2006 and we are transforming this novel into a film. A film noir documentary about urban culture. So exciting.
Do you have any classical training or self taught?
Autodidact!
Can you tell me about your first experiences with a camera? And light? And when you knew that photography would become a large part of your life?
My father was a photo chemist for Agfa, so it was around me when I was a kid. I started shooting with a Polaroid camera when I was really young. When surfing came into my life two years ago I started travelling more to catch waves. I started shooting on a daily base while travelling.
What were some of your early influences in photography?
Henry Cartier Bresson is definitely of my my early influences in photography. Not really. I enjoyed growing up in pop culture. It feeds you as a person. It’s all about how you deal with it and how you transform that energy into your own language.
There are a lot of different ways to see photography. Instagram. Online. Print. How do you feel is the best and most impactful way to see imagery?
I mainly shoot film. That’s where the magic happens. It has that amazing grain and it’s so dreamy. I always try to catch a vibe/feeling in my photography. It’s playful and so much fun. I use Social Media as a free marketing tool.
My Instagram is a well-curated online portfolio.
Do you have a goal with your work?
I just want to keep on traveling, shooting, surfing and meeting amazing talented people all over the world. It’s such a rich and amazing life.
I head to Bali on 3 of December and will be travelling between Bali and Australia for a few months. Lot’s of amazing projects, collaboration are already lined up. I can’t wait!
Advice for young photographers in the modern climate.
Buy an old camera on ebay and start shooting film. Don’t let yourself intimidated by how the Industry works.
Favorite photo?
Les Amoureux by Man Ray.
And don’t forget to check him out on Instagram here: @gutterdust