Magzoid Magazine - Luxury Magazine in the Creative Space | September 2023 |

Exclusive
Andy Firth
Artist
The shopkeeper of skulls
I
n the world of art, some artists prefer to
keep their identity a mystery, letting their
work speak for itself. One such artist is
Andy Firth, a rising talent from Australia,
known by his alias, Jack Of The Dust. For
over a decade, Firth concealed his true
identity, but with a staggering social media
following of 2.9 million, he is now ready to
step into the limelight and share his story.
Unlike many artists, Andy Firth did not receive
any formal training in his craft. From
a young age, he displayed a natural artistic
inclination, spending his time building LEGO
creations and exploring various forms of artistry
with his hands. As he grew older, Firth’s
love for intricate artistry blossomed through
painting and designing Warhammer miniatures,
a type of tabletop gaming figures.
Despite his passion for art, Firth worked
tirelessly as a boat builder for twelve years,
squeezing in his artistic pursuits during his
spare time. He even took on a part-time job
as a video clerk to support his artistic endeavors.
The turning point came when Firth
struggled to find a decorated human skull
for purchase. Not one to shy away from a
challenge, he decided to fill this unique
niche in the art world.
Around 2011, with whatever little free time
he could spare from his demanding work
schedule, Andy began creating replica
skulls as sculptures, starting as a mere “side
hustle.” The demand for his creations grew
rapidly, and after two years of juggling both
worlds, he knew it was time to make art his
full-time pursuit. In 2013, Andy embraced
the name Jack Of The Dust and embarked
on a full-fledged artistic journey, with the human
skull as his chosen canvas.
The name “Jack Of The Dust” itself carries a
fascinating story. Inspired by an 1800s book
of naval terminology, Firth stumbled upon
the term while flipping through the pages. In
the historical context, it referred to a storekeeper
in charge of dry goods on board a
ship, creating a dusty environment. For Firth,
the name perfectly embodied his artistic
approach, going from dust to dust, with the
human skull symbolizing this cycle of life.
Additionally, the name Jack, akin to John
Doe, encapsulated his fascination with the
essence of humanity. He believes that the
human skull is the perfect canvas as it represents
the center of perception and experience—the
place where everything happens.
Jack Of The Dust’s repertoire now includes
over a couple of hundred different types of
sculpted pieces. From skulls inspired by
Samurai warriors, popular culture icons like
Rick & Morty, unique interpretations of Andy
Warhol, to traditional offerings like Day of the
Dead skulls, there’s a piece of art for everyone.
Social media played a significant role in
spreading the word about Firth’s art. Starting
his Jack Of The Dust Instagram account
in 2013 as an art sharing page, he quickly
gained a massive following by documenting
the creation process on his YouTube channel.
Celebrities like Jason Momoa, Joe Rogan,
and Slash have become his customers,
elevating his business to new heights.
Today, Jack Of The Dust operates out of
two warehouses on Australia’s Gold Coast,
spanning over 7,000 square feet. Thanks to
his enormous following, Firth now employs
fifteen full-time artists to help create each
handmade piece. They use mixed media of
clay, acrylic, and resin, pushing the boundaries
of sculpting with unconventional materials.
Despite having access to numerous
tools, Andy’s favorites remain a humble butter
knife and his hands.
www.magzoid.com September 2023
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