Taking refuge from the apocalypse in The Bunker this week is one of my all time absolute favourite illustrators, Tom Gauld. Glancing quickly at one of Tom’s illustrations you may be fooled into thinking that there’s not much going on, both in content and style. But it doesn’t take long to discover that there’s so much work crammed within those deceptively simple looking panels. Not one line looks out of place as the scenes he creates are crammed full of life, intrigue, emotion but most of all humour and imagination.

His work is good for the soul, a safe place you can visit and loose yourself amidst the solitude of rusting robots and lonely Kings. I’ve been a big fan for many years now and out of the countless comic strips and drawings I’ve seen of Tom’s, not 1 has failed to make me smile, and I think that’s incredible. Without further ado, tis my  honour to welcome the simply brilliant Tom Gauld to The Bunker.

TB: We can allow you access to 1 music video. What will it be?
TG: Anything by Gorillaz.

TB: There is room on the wall for 1 piece of art. What would you like?
TG: The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymous Bosch.

TB: There is a small bookshelf with room for 1 book. What will it be?
TG: The Inheritors by William Golding.

TB: You’re allowed 1 film. What will you watch?
TG: 2001 (This was a tough one but in the end I chose this as I didn’t want to upset Stanley – see below).

TB: There are bunk beds inside the room. Who gets the other bed, and which bunk would you like?
TG: Stanley Kubrick. I’d like the top bunk, but I’d probably let Stanley choose.

TB: You’re allowed 1 small treasured item. What is it?
TG: Reproduction Lewis-chess-set King which my Dad gave me.

TB: We’ve managed to get you a CD player. What album would you like?
TG: Silver Jews: Bright Flight.

A popular choice but videos are hard to come by. You can watch the video for Tennessee also chosen by last weeks Bunker Andy Smith by clicking here.

TB: We are willing to cook you 1 meal of your choice on your first night in The Bunker. What would you like?
TG: Champagne and oysters. Then roast beef, yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and parsnips, peas, gravy. Followed by trifle.

TB: All inhabitants of The Bunker MUST have their memories of Old Earth erased. However, we will allow you a single memory of your old life. What will it be?
TG: Swimming in the river on a hot day when I was about 8.

TB: We can project a view of your choice onto the Window Screen. What would you like to look at?
TG: New York from the 50th floor.

Tom’s new screen print ‘Plan for a Gigantic Robot’ is available to buy at his website and don’t forget you can enjoy his work every saturday in The Guardian Review. He also has a great flickr page where you can see lots of other drawings including scanned pages from his sickeningly beautiful sketchbook.

This is my very own Tom Gauld original that I’m incredibly happy to own, because I’m a nerd like that.

Come back next week when I’ll be sharing baked beans with another of my favourite creative types in…THE BUNKER! Thanks for reading!

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He’s been one of my all time favorite artists for years now and apart from painting THE most awesomest women, robots and monsters he also puts out the most high quality, hand finished scale replica robots I’ve seen so far. A while back I treated myself to his last release, Deep Powder Bramble and I’m so glad I did. The thing sold out pretty fast and when it arrived I couldn’t believe the size, quality and finish.

Well today has seen the release of the next in the series, Large Martin. These things are pretty pricey but if you find yourself a bit flush and your into this kind of thing, you will not be dissapointed.

More Ashley Wood niceness HERE , HERE and HERE.

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