Timba Smits

Part of

The Perch

A real one-stop shop, there’s not much Timba Smits can’t do when he puts pen to paper, which is proven through a folio that is as varied as it is original and stylised. Born slightly in the wrong era, Timba’s work is rich in mid-century nostalgia fused with his own brand of fun.

He has been influential in the design and art world through the design of the cult magazine Wooden Toy Quarterly, and the setup of Gorker Gallery. He worked with some of the world’s leading brands including Wired, Esquire, Maxim, The Guardian, Sneaker Freaker and T-World magazines, HBO, Johnny Cupcakes, Ride Snowboards and Red Bull.

After a serious knife attack in 2011, Timba is also very passionate about the effect creativity and positive influence has on our lives and is committed to the mentoring and creative education of young disadvantaged adults.

Name:

Timba Smits

Place of Birth:

The Box (Hill), Melbourne Australia.

Currently Living in:

London, United Kingdom.

Train, bus, bike, or other:

Legs eleven.

What's the most important object in your studio?

Without sounding cheesy… my mind. if that ain’t workin' then me oh my, the whole studio turns to a shit pile of barny rubble.

Paper or Plastic?

P.A.P.E.R

If you could resurrect one no longer living person to have lunch with, knowing you will have to return them to the grave right after coffee, who would it be?

Well gee, George Petty of course! The master of the Pin-up girl.

Preferred method of dealing with an encounter with an acquaintance whose name you can't remember.

I would simply say something like this… “Boy, I’m so sorry, i’m going to sound like a royal ass here but i’ve completely forgotten your name?”. My method is it’s better to be awkward for 2 minutes rather than the entire encounter. That’s my trick. But Shhhhhh, don’t tell anyone.

Favourite client so far?

Hmmm, maybe it could be you?

Favourite imaginary client?

Either Jessica Rabbit or Betty Grable if they ran their own 1950/1960’s trans-continental Airline and Hotel Resort Chain.

How does your mother describe your profession?

Fun and Inspirational. Mum loves coming to all my creative events and meeting my artist friends and pretty much has a copy of everything i’ve ever made, been featured in and pretty much has dibs on everything i make in the future. It’s really cute but we even swap the edition 1 copy of my magazine each time it is printed. When mum gets 1 i get 2 and so on. She’s definitely my number 1 fan!

Coffee or tea?

Both are super duper!

What's your earliest drawing memory?

Winning the grade 6 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle drawing competition for my sooper rad-to-the-max illustration of a classic fight scene between Raphael (my favourite ninja turtle) and Shredder (the evil bad fella).

How do you prefer to spend your mornings?

A nice walk to get some bread.