We think we’ve found them. The best shirts for summer. How have we arrived at this startling conclusion, you might as. Well, aside from just liking what we see, the shirts made by new brand Endless Joy, have a little more to them than meets the eye. For starters, they’re not decorated with just any old seasonally-appropriate prints – each is an intricate, original piece by multi-disciplinary artist and brand founder Mr Stevie Anderson, who having recently returned from a stint in Bali, decided he wanted to make a bit of difference in the world. How, then, does a shirt do that? We’ll let him explain.

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Why did you become an artist?

I’ve encountered a series of odd scenarios and I’ve led an eclectic journey so far. I’ve tried every job under the sun and making art was the only thing I found that both rewarded my soul and made other people smile. I’m grateful to finally be able to support myself doing what I love.

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Why did you decide to start a clothing brand?

I find there’s a lot of crap out there that has no aesthetic value or substance. I’m not interested in walking around with a big logo on my chest acting as a billboard for a faceless corporation. If I’m going to wear something close to my heart, I would prefer it to have a deeper meaning, so I made a few shirts for myself using some pieces I was working on. People were drawn to them, so it’s grown very naturally from there.

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Why did you decide clothing would be the perfect canvas for your work?

I wanted a shirt for myself and, with my art at my fingertips, it seemed a good marriage. I’m drawn to the freedom and individuality they can bring. They have a subversive nature, too, an “I don’t give a fuck what you think” type of vibe that’s always appealed to me.

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Are there any particular artists you’re inspired by?

Henri Rousseau, Francisco Goya, Lucas Cranach, Hieronymus Bosch, Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, René Magritte, Lempad of Bali… I like a lot of the “outsider artists” such as Henry Darger and Adolf Wölfli. The list goes on. I’m excited by anybody operating in the realms of nature, the sublime, the mythological or in human psychology. Inspiration is pretty much an endless stream.

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How does classical mythology influence your work?

Myths continue to draw us in today because they hold multiple layers of meaning that we’re no strangers to – betrayal, lust, beauty, family, courage and love. A lot of the Greek myths wrestle with the idea of fate, destiny and free will. They ask: do we have any control over our lives or are we merely pawns in the grand scheme of things? And, most importantly, how do we come to terms with these big questions? Mythology is the key to getting to grips with what it means to be alive, it’s the story of human psychology and our collective consciousness.

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How does Bali inspire you?

I’m extremely grateful to the Balinese for sharing their stories with me, I hope they see my interpretations of their art and feel I’ve done them justice. I am truly honoured to have experienced such kind and humble people, in such a beautiful part of the world.

The shirts are also made in Bali and some of the pieces are inspired by Balinese mythology and my time on the island. For now, though, I am living on the wind and I’m currently back in the UK for a bit and enjoying some time with family before the next adventure.

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Endless Joy uses eco-friendly fabrics and dyes, and also donates five per cent of sales to charity. How important is sustainability to you?

We have a simple ecological vision: “less is more”. We’re focused on quality and beauty. The fundamental principle is to present a standard of ideas and art, displayed on the best quality eco-friendly materials. We hope by investing our time and love into each piece that people will treasure and use it for a lifetime. It’s very early days for Endless Joy but the only measure of success should be how we can help make a difference in the world.

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