From psychedelic fashions to objects as art, Jordon Gogos is the ultimate slashie. We chat with the Melbourne Art Fair ambassador about his upcoming collaboration, the beginnings of his career, and his approach to design. Jordan is definitely one to watch!

Habitus Living: Tell us about your background

Jordan Gogos: I studied objects/textiles at UNSW and Parsons School of Design in NYC. I started my objects and furniture brand GOGOS in my second-year of university making one to two pieces a year.

For each piece I would do a full video campaign with people accompanying it, personifying the pieces – rather than shooting objects as stills on white backgrounds.

The works featured in fashion publications almost as often as they would as clothing loans. By the time I started my Iordanes Spyridon Gogos, it felt like a very organic direction to take.

What led you to where you are?

I always wanted to create things that had big impacts and involved many people. Whenever I have an idea or want to connect with others that have inspired me one way or another, I reach out and rarely sit around waiting for things to come to me.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

I’m lucky enough in my work to have so many friends around me that my professional life is very social. I’m working out the balance every day – it definitely feels as though when you lean into one, you compromise on the other.

What does home mean to you?

A place that reflects on the outside how I’m feeling on the inside. When my home is disorganised or untidy I’m usually in a very hectic creative process.

How does your home reflect your passions, interests and creativity?

My apartment is fairly minimal besides the select art pieces within it. A lot of people react to the bareness of my home. I can’t have many things around me as I’m constantly surrounded by so much in the studio I need a break from anything that might stimulate me.

What are the favourite things in your home?

My books and magazines. They each remind me of a specific time, place or moment that I got them.

What’s something you wished you had known before setting out on this career path?

Failures are more important than successes. As one of my lecturers at Parsons, Allan Wexler says you need to learn how to fail and you need to learn how to fail once a day to be a great artist or designer.

How does art play in your home?

Most of my art is from my friends. I connect with things that are associated with deeper personal connections or moments in time that I love thinking about.

What was the first piece of art you bought?

A drawing from Jonny Negron artwork in 2014.

What’s next for Jordan Gogos?

I’ll be working with Glenfiddich in a new collaboration that will push the boundaries of whisky and design.

Sustainability is crucial for both Glenfiddich and me, so this is an exciting project in which I’ll be working with an innovative machine that essentially converts scraps and wastage into new materials – adapting, inventing and changing.

Photography – Seung Rok Baek

Visit melbourneartfair.com.au for full program details and to book tickets. Melbourne Art Fair will run from Thursday 17 – Sunday 20 February 2022.

Habitus is a proud media partner for Melbourne Art Fair – you can pop in and see us at the stand MP1 in the Galleries.