Artist and The Gravy presenter Ross Liew talks about the creative culture TV show, how he became involved and his personal highlights from the latest series.

“The Gravy is the show that digs up the obsessed, amazing and fascinating activities of our nations creative personalities that would often go completely unnoticed otherwise.”

The first episode of Series Four of The Gravy premiered online, one week before it screens on TVNZ 7, this Saturday December 5 (details below).

Liew is a founding member of Auckland based art collective, the Cut Collective, his work covers many areas and mediums, from generating graphics for NZ streetwear label Moneyshot, to showing his art in New York City, to winning Metro magazines Young Photographer of the Year award in 2007.

He works under the name TrustMe and his work explores the role and effect of the street as a site/platform for viewers to engage with art.

Name: Ross Liew aka Oscar Low aka TrustMe

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

I'm most productive within the usual office hours but most inspired is different to most productive. It's usually later on, 10pm or so when there's often a couple under the belt and my son's finally in bed.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

I don't have any good friends but if you asked Kurt who I work in the Cut Collective with he'd say I just copied him. And I'd describe his style as nostalgic cut and paste that's been run through a rusty blender on pulse setting.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

The conception and the execution, when you know you've got a good idea and when you've pulled it off. The in-between bit I like because you can often just switch off and not think about it.

How does your environment affect your work?

The more control I have over my environment the more my work will come out as I planned. I need a certain type of place to generate ideas and another completely different one to execute them though.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

You definitely need both, though you can often fool people with an over-abundance of detail. That's why I like screen-printing, there's a limitless amount of detail available, makes it easier to fool people.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

Diversification. For artists operating within such a small economy and population base we need to be available for a range of services and we can't be afraid of the more overtly commercial ones either.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

Probably the Cut Collective exhibition at TheNewDowse early 2009. Large scale, week long installation with a very open and supportive environment that seems to have made an impression on a lot more people than we might have imagined.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

Becoming self employed!  Nothing like a lack of security to get you out of bed and thinking of new things to do and ways to make rent.

Tell us a bit about Sticky Pictures.

Sticky Pictures are like extended family to me really. It's a busy, shifting mass of people doing mysterious things when in production. Somehow they have come to be the premier makers of quality art and culture TV in the country, previously with The Living Room and now with The Gravy.

Tell us a bit about The Gravy.

The Gravy is the show that digs up the obsessed, amazing and fascinating activities of our nations creative personalities that would often go completely unnoticed otherwise. It’s  a document of what is going on around the country at this particular time, told in an engaging and artist driven way, and that will always, always look shit hot.

How and when did The Gravy first come about?

Mhairead Connor–One of the Gravy producer’s says “When TVNZ Digital was established in 2007 they asked for proposals from the production community for an arts show that was different and “edgy”. Sticky Pictures had a bit of a background in arts television so they dreamt up a show that would focus on “creative culture” rather just “art” and that’s driving would always be about creative people made by creative people. The programming and commissioning team (Juliette Jensen and Philippa Mossman) really responded to our vision and it all went from there really.

How has it changed since then?

From my own perspective since the first episodes I have come to realise that my own esoteric interest in the artists and their art is probably not the best content for a TV show that has just 7 minutes or so to tell a complete story.

Who is involved?

Well there’s Tom Kelly and Mhairead Connor who produce the show. Mel Dodds – the production manager and person who keeps us all going. Phill England has been the key director this time round. With other directors like, Liam Bachler, Jess Feast, Hamish Waterhouse, Lala Rolls, Nato Hickey, Zoe McIntosh and heaps of other incredibly talented people who make each episode a testimony to the craft and skill of the artists that feature in it.

How and why did you become involved?

I featured in the last series of The Living Room as an artist and guest presenter, which I suppose turned out to be my audition for The Gravy.

What are some of the successes and highlights so far? (The Gravy won a Qantas award)

Definitely the award plus Phil England being nominated for best director for the Sex Special. I think really it's just the regard in which the show is held by those who have discovered it, they really think quite highly of it.

What have been some of the challenges (including funding and getting it on air)?

Keeping arts television alive is always a challenge – we’re really lucky because the network really are supportive of us.

Trying to make as many people aware of the show, and how they can see it – on air and online is always a big challenge as we have be very creative without a big marketing budget.

Why is it important to have this kind of show on air?

Because we need to document and recognise the contribution these people make to our communities and NZ society as a whole. I love sport but I love art and culture equally and while it's a never a problem getting coverage of sport, and culture seems to be getting more attention every year, art still languishes in terms of on screen time.

The first episode of Series Four was launched online a week before it premieres on TV. Why did you do this, was it hard to get TVNZ agreement and how successful was it?

Mhairead Connor says: We’ve always sensed that there is a big online audience out there that might not know about the show because they’ve moved on from TV as their content provider. We also suspected that these people might really respond to the show because of it’s focus on creativity and discovery. So we wanted a way to start reaching that audience and offering them the show before the on air premiere seemed like a good place to start. TVNZ7 were right into the idea. We won’t know how successful it’s been till this Friday but fingers crossed!

What are some of the highlights in the upcoming series?

For me definitely getting hands on experience with 19th century photographic techniques, I've worked with photography for around 15 years but never seen the wet plate process in action. I also like the format this time round where we have themed episodes such as paint, words, child's play etc. It creates a nice thread that runs through the artists who feature in each episode.

What was your personal highlight?

Probably that after 4 seasons I finally feel like I have some idea of what I should be doing as a TV presenter! Myself, Warren Maxwell and Gabe McDonnell, were recruited mainly as co-artists who can talk with the featured artists on a creative level, the presenting is something that we have had to sort out on top of that.

Who does the animated segment The Truth?

Rhys Morgan. The most talented voice actor I have ever met, the only one too but that shouldn't detract from his genius. Friends of mine are dying to meet the man behind The Truth, he's like, famous as.

Will there be a Series Five?

To be honest I don't know. If you all write in to TVNZ telling them you'll throw your tv's out the window if they don't commission another, then maybe.

What’s your big idea for 2010?

I'll be the next pretty young thing bringing you the news on one of the late night news programmes. Keep an eye out, I'll even shave for the occasion.

Further information:

So go to TVNZ Ondemand to watch episode one of new series.

The 13 part series premieres on air at TVNZ7 on Saturday 5 December at 9.35pm, each show repeats screenings through the week from Sunday 10.35 am and at 14.35 Tuesday 21.35, Wednesday 10.35 am and at 14.35.