THE KNOBBHEADS
The brainchild of Luke Whittaker, the Knobbheads had a very simple beginning. They came into existence around 2008, and were originally based off the appearance of local bar owner in Dublin, Ireland. The old man was extremely small; maybe 4 feet tall, with glasses and wispy fading hair. The pub was located near a store called t and Knockers, which sold doorknobs and door knockers. This would later serve as inspiration for the name.
From their initial creation, The Knobbheads were more of a random occurence, existing as small sketches on pieces of scrap paper, napkins, or in a foggy mirror. They were never a focus of any of Whittakers artistic projects or endeavors, rather just a fun side hobby. After being explored and revisited over and over again throughout the years they were given a name.
Creating Knobbheads
Upon entering the Rhode Island School of Design, Whittaker kept creating the Knobbheads, and they would take on a new form. His freshmen year, he began to make cardboard cutouts of all sizes, featuring different parts of the Knobbheads, from entire figures to single heads or bones. Later he met Rory Hernandez-Romero, a graphic design major who would later become his friend and motivator in the Knobbheads concept. In the end of their junior year, the two friends began creating work together based around the Knobbheads.
They made films, masks, and paintings, which pushed the Knobbheads into the forefront of their attention. Conversations about what they mean and how weird they are ensued, how people were oddly attracted to their merging of art and subculture. Eventually they jumped onto building the Knobbheads up as a recognizable symbol and brand, with fully fleshed out aesthetics, ideals, and lifestlyes. Luke handled the physical and creative outlets, and Rory handled many the digital aspects of the Knobbheads.
What they mean
having inner questions rise to the surface, having a nagging doubt of the authority and the things you’re told. They act to remind us to actually question the new and media. They implore us to form individual opinions not based on the spoon fed opinions. The Knobbheads act as an interruption in messages, of all kinds, reminding viewers to be critical of everything. They can represent any form and become an outlet for any individual. They speak for the quiet, the misunderstood, and for those who do not have a voice.
The Knobbheads also wish to address the issue (and nonissue) in nonconformity. Many brands and identites preach individuality and to go against the establishment, but fall to standards and noms that are within the “streetbrand” language. The Knobbheads, though forming at times, would like to break from that aesthetic as often as possible, and be ever changing even to the point of extremes.
What they Mean (to me)
My relationship with the Knobbheads is one of mutual growth. My training in traditional graphic design led my work, and I tried over and over to pursue a minimalist, safe design. In that time of my life, the work of my peers reflected as such, and although they were successful, they made me crave for something more. I felt as though I had reached a stagnant place where I was no longer progressing. I needed an outlet to be able to break free, experiment and change my workflow.
what they got
The Knobbheads approach different avenues of representation, which allows them to participate in many differnet conversations. Originally, the Knobbheads began in the phyiscal world as paintings and cardboard masks/cutouts made by hand by Luke. Eventually, they began to pursue digital avenues, crossing into the world of digital photography and videography with a heavy focus on experimental effects. As the next step in becoming a recognizable entitity, prints and t-shirts were made and sold for an winter exhibition at the Rhode Island School of Design, with great success.
Currently, the Knobbheads have become digital illustrations and pixel art, taking inspiration from pre-internet gif animations and aesthetics. Beyond figures, objects have also begun to enter the realm of the Knobbheads universe, stylized to fit within the canon of the works. Their web presence is constantly growing and changing, with the Knobbheads website becoming more aligned to what the figures experience along with the world they embody.
