Ey Up Simeon Barclay

Ey Up with Harry Meadley

Sometimes the real pleasure in making these recordings is just turning the mics on, sitting there, and listening whilst someone lays out their story. A debriefing - to use a military analogy, such as Simeon likes to do. I’ve known Simeon for many years since our days at Leeds Met together and have always been a huge admirer of both his work, him, and, of course, the way he dresses. ‘Simeon wears all clothing Louis Vuitton’ written beneath his portrait for a recent i-D article will give you a good sense.
I knew little bits and pieces of his life before he decided to pursue art, which for many years I sensed he was maybe quite guarded about - and something I can definitely relate to. In recent years there has been a transformation in his work, and alongside it himself, to more openly incorporate and recognise the value of his lived experience - which more and more I’ve come to learn is the step necessary to really start making meaningful work.