Harvey Lynch
The son of a cryptographer, Los Angeles-based artist Brian O’Hara developed a passion for words and codes early on – but also discovered he was dyslexic. So he began writing backwards (mirror writing) because it was easier to do than writing left to right. Many years later, after holding several high-profile production and design positions, he would go on to found Harvey Lynch, using this unique talent to create patterns containing hidden messages. He and his wife and business partner, Mel Currie, make it their mission to empower audiences through their artwork, composed of mantras that weave into an abstract pattern.
One piece features a line by the Persian poet Rumi, formed into a gleaming golden circle, while another focuses simply on the word “Imagine” from John Lennon’s famous 1971 song – the word written geometrically, almost like street art against a black background.
Harvey Lynch patterns have been featured in hotels, installations, and even on high heels and plates. The couple plan to expand into textiles shortly.
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Zeus Beard: How did you come up with the name Harvey Lynch?
Harvey Lynch: It's a combination of our mothers’ maiden names: Harvey is Mel's, Lynch is mine. It’s a nod to our mothers’ importance in our lives.
ZB: Both you and your wife held other occupations before you went into art, you as an actor/production designer/brand director and your wife as an interior designer/stylist/model. Why and how did you two transition into what you do now?
HL: We had always been involved in design but felt the need to create rather than procure and stage art. It was just a natural progression for us to launch Harvey Lynch. I was working as a Production Designer and away from my family all of the time, and Mel was designing interiors and working from our home studio. We decided it was time to take the leap and start to design together rather than apart.
ZB: How did you two meet, and did you expect to be working together like this?
HL: Mel was living in London at the time and took a gig here as a stylist. I had just started designing my first restaurant and a mutual friend asked if I would show her around LA. I was in way over my head and begged her to help me. She agreed to overstay her Visa and we finished the project together. 14 years and 5 children later, we are still at it!
ZB: Each work of art is composed of a message, replicated many times. Tell us how you came up with this idea of creating a pattern from inspirational sayings.
HL: We are both inspired by the written word - whether it’s a poem, lyrics, literature, or spiritual wisdom. I had always written things backwards for some unknown reason. What we realized is that when words are reversed and replicated, they take on a different pattern since the shape of the letters is more abstract. The words are the same - and hold their meaning. Just reversed and appearing as design and art.
ZB: Every piece you create is extremely detailed and elaborate. Do you do each piece entirely by hand?
HL: Every piece is drawn by hand first.
ZB: You mentioned that, having dyslexia, it’s easier for you to write backwards. Do you find creating your works therapeutic?
HL: Absolutely. It is much easier for me to write backwards than forwards. When I'm working it's almost like I am unwinding all the things that I have to force to drive forward all day.
ZB: Take us through the process of creating a piece.
HL: Our intention, how we are feeling at that present moment, a quote a lyric, something positive and empowering. Typically the letters and vibe dictate the style - although we look to past styles also and create a series of tests. Together, we decide which one to move forward with... and voila, I lock myself in the studio and go for it. Then, if we are transferring the original piece to wallpaper, or creating a larger textile, Mel uses the computer, adding color and texture if needed. This gives us the ability to put the art/textile onto any material or surface, in any color or scale.
ZB: Do you have a favorite piece?
HL: There are pieces that we appreciate because of what they mean, but really anything that has something to do with Love or Peace.
ZB: We’ve seen Harvey Lynch patterns on everything from murals to high heels. What has been the most interesting place you’ve put a pattern on?
HL: Chairs and lamps. They are really a challenge since the surface has so many complex curves, and they take forever!
ZB: Who or what inspires you?
HL: People who are kind to one another. Street markings, paintings, and film. A passion for fashion and shoes. Street fashion. Visual arts and popular culture. Photography and anything from National Geographic. The modern innovation in architecture to new technology and materials. Culture and traditions and far-reaching public art. Old cameras to flea markets, food to vintage patterns, furniture fairs to old crafts.
We have always been inspired by contrast - geometric shapes and the density and lightness woven together with ease, as well as the craft of textiles.
And we have not even begun to tell you about our HARVEY LYNCH textile collection (still in development). Our taste for prints and colors has been there all along. We are inspired by icons like Missoni, Marimekko, Mary Quant, Paul Smith, Cy Twombly, Isamu Noguchi, Philippe Starck, Sonia Rykiel, Anni Albers. The list is endless and keeps growing.
Music is also a huge part of our creative process, as we both fancied ourselves singers. You will always hear a tune or two coming from our studio.
We work intuitively. The creation of a collection generally starts with the words, and then the art takes form. We then turn the art into several patterns and research the fabrics or materials and different techniques that we can infuse into a final piece. Our greatest inspiration, however, is all of our children and how they see and interpret everything.
