Interview: Goldie on Art

Does art make a difference?

Yes, of course it does. If there was no art it would be a dire situation. Regardless of what some people might want you to think, art always helps people put their views across.

Should politics and art mix?

When art is juxtaposed with a political message, it can put pressure on that situation and bring about change. My work has a social slant, but I wouldn't say I'm ever directly trying to challenge political situations with it. If people want to read into it, fine. I'm just telling it like it is. The whole thing about kids being out of control in this country, that's down to a lack of funding from the government. The places that young people used to go to have an artistic voice, have someone listen to them - the community centres, the art projects - have all gone.

Is good art a product of inspiration or perspiration?

You need an idea to make it worth working hard.

Does money corrupt an artist?

It hasn't corrupted me. I think when it becomes ridiculous it can corrupt anyone, an artist or anyone else.

Is your work for the many or the few?

It's for the few, I guess. I've always been a bit self-indulgent. It's very individual: if people like it, they like it. I've never tried to make art or music for the masses.

Which artist do you most admire, and why?

Miles Davis has always been a very major influence for music. In terms of visual art, someone like Futura [the graffiti artist Futura 2000] is an early inspiration. He jumped out of the mould, took graffiti somewhere new.

Where do you work best?

At home, I'm 40 now! I paint in the back garden. There will be months where not much happens, and then days like yesterday - I was up at six and doing things all day. But whenever I have the energy to create, I work at home.

If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

A piss artist. I can't say I'd be something that I'm not.

If you were world leader, what would be your first law?

I'd give people free travel to wherever they want. Bush was responsible for the biggest scandal of our times. I'd say it was satanic to a certain degree - you might say he's the Hitler of our times. Fear spread through pure scaremongering. It's like the Crusades, if you look back at history, populations have been wiped clear off the slate. Now we're worried about 100 of "our" people dying in a bomb - of course it's terrible, but nothing has really happened to the west in 50 years. What Bush got away with in the western world has bred contempt, and if people were free to go where they want, they'd see things as they really are.

Do you love your country?

In spite of all the issues, all the problems, yes.

Are we all doomed?

Yes. You might see hope looking at the Obama situation, but he's been left a tarred stick. And it's a big hill to climb.

"The Kids Are All Riot", an exhibition of Goldie's art, opens April 10th til April 26th at the Maverick Showroom, London E2.