If you had to pick three life moments that made you who you are today, what would they be?

I suppose it’s not really a life moment, but I had one of ‘those’ teachers in high school—the ones you see in films or in books, who have such an unbridled enthusiasm for your passion, and encourage you with such fervor that you really believe you can do what you love as a career. I don’t know where I’d be without that, so, forever thanks, Mr. Handson.

When I was 23, I moved to Europe with a band, going to the west of England before settling in Berlin for seven years. Leaving Melbourne and moving over is something that was quite difficult to do, and it took a lot to be tugged out of my comfort zone of the Melbourne music scene and the sparking of a design career to do that. I’m so glad I did, and I thank my partner at the time and that band because the world opened up in ways it couldn’t have done had I stayed home. And the parties!! Christ.

A small period of about 5 days wherein my partner Billie and I went from being new friends to falling in love with each other at a little unplugged house on the Great Ocean Road. As close to magic as I think a feeling can get.

What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?

I have almost all ideas while running. I’m the world’s worst designer when it comes to jotting notes or scribbling ideas—I’ve always loved and admired designers and artists with rows and rows of sketchbooks and notes and workings. I think I’ve had the same A5 moleskine since about 2018. I set off on the run, start thinking of an idea over 7-8 kilometers, then by the time I’m home the concept has usually come together and I just have to scribble the draft or pore over the final. It just all lives in my head! Apologies to my next of kin, who won’t be able to sell my scribbles and notebooks to museums/debt collectors in years to come. I’m taking that moleskine with me!

Do you have any other unique hobbies or obsessions?

My friends and family would probably suggest my obsession is Oasis—I’ve been an unapologetic megafan since before I could walk, I think. I could name you any track in a fraction of a second, but perhaps that’s less unique post-reunion. I’ve had to take a breather after working for them, travelling to Dublin to see them AND playing drums in an Oasis tribute in Melbourne. A gorgeous creek I run along has somewhat of a rubbish problem so I think I might be about to take up the unique hobby of picking up litter.

How would you describe your aesthetic to someone who has never seen your work?

I’ve heard some people describe it as very 70s or using the word ‘retro’, which makes me recoil a bit. I like to think my aesthetic is simply a good idea. There are some elements I use quite often, like halftone brushes, or scratchy pencil brushes, which may be recognisable—and an unhealthy love for orange and blue paired together—but I think a more consistent theme that I really strive for is a clever, charming, perhaps funny concept. Usually the execution can be quite clunky or imperfect but I’ve always strived for the main takeaway from my pieces to be a strong idea that resonates with the artist or the viewer of the piece, or ideally both.

Can you share a bit about the process of creating your winning image, from the initial seed of the idea to the final version?

David Byrne has had this character on his current album campaign of himself wrapped in a blustery tangled suit of coloured wiry fluff, which I would assume is cable ties and is visually extraordinary. In my mind this character isn’t him, it is its own entity, and I loved the idea of this wild mysterious character popping up in all the places David is playing. I had been asked to make a poster for one of Mr. Byrne’s other shows in California, where I had placed this character into the famous frame of Bigfoot walking alongside a forest, which had apparently been received quite enthusiastically by the man himself—so his management asked me if I’d quickly have a concept for this show in Boston. I came across Boston’s famous statue of George Washington on a horse, and immediately thought a simple drawing of the statue with the fluffy character replacing the man could be quite visually striking, as well as being charmingly humorous, which would suit David quite well. I think I had the idea and draft ready in about ten minutes at my aunt’s desk in Dublin, then drew it in an evening sitting back in Melbourne. I love projects that start with a strong spark and you excitedly throttle through it in what feels like no time.

Who is inspiring you these days? Who should more people know about?

Well, funnily enough I’m consistently incredibly inspired by Akiko Stehrenberger, one of the judges of this contest, whose clever ideas and brilliantly versatile art style always makes me check that I’m putting as much work and love into what I’m doing as I possibly can. I’m also loving Max Loeffler, who draws with these beautiful dotty textures and has a stunning understanding of light. I’ve spent so much time trying to figure out how on earth he paints his posters. The scene of merch designers at the moment is full of crazily inspiring talent as well, my instagram feed is just a constant stream of it—favourites at the moment would be Julia Fletcher, Olivia Boryczewski, and the tastemaker Connor Dewhurst. I think more people should know Madalyn Stefanak’s work. Her pairing of her political activism and taste in bold design choices, and at times heartbreaking illustration, is so clever. And my mum, Christine Kuchowsky, who inspires me every day, artistically and otherwise.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve seen, heard or experienced recently?

Oh, easily Atarashii Gakko! at Meredith Music Festival here in Australia at the end of last year. I think I just stood mouth agape for the whole set. The person next to me had tears rolling down her facing, saying softly “this is the best thing I’ve ever seen in my life” and I think I’d say the same. Four sailor-uniformed Japanese girls crashing into the festival like four blistering meteors of blinding visuals and relentless energy. Unreal.

Describe an artwork that you currently have displayed in your home. Who made it, what does it look like, and what do you like about it?

I have these two human-like figures made of plaster, one sitting on a speaker and one on the floor in front of my art books. They’re white, and featureless but for a particularly chiselled noise, and sit and silently observe us in our flat. My mum made them in art college I believe. One is currently studying the 3-foot Miffy lamp on the floor, and the other is looking at a candle sconce on the wall, which my partner Billie made. I always think I’ll sit down on the sofa and one day they’ll have moved of their own accord somewhere else.

What’s one piece of good advice someone gave you, and who said it?

In the band I was in, I played drums alongside another drummer, Nelson Piccin—probably the best I have heard and ever will hear. We used to trade solos in a part of the set, and I’d try to match him and compete with his jazz virtuosity. Our bandmate Jonathan Dreyfus pointed this out, and said “you can hear it. Don’t ever try to compete. Just do what you do best and put everything into that.” He probably won’t remember ever saying that, but it stuck with me. Mum also told me as a teen to always trust my gut with everything, as it’s never ever wrong. It’s yet to be proven wrong.

What is one thing you want to accomplish this next year?

Work through this terrible twinge in my leg that has hampered my running for the last year. Play more gigs. Find a set of drawers for my beloved poster archive, which is currently a cardboard box on my floor. Maybe move those posters to a gallery wall.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?

In this difficult age where no one really knows where the creative industry is headed, and the looming danger of that two-lettered acronym taking our work—I just hope to still be happy, drawing for artists whose works I love, without a worry, with the windows open and a coffee on. That’s all I want. That, and a Citröen 2CV.

Sebi White on Instagram