Martin Creed @ EIBF

“A lot of making is trying to do things to make me feel better.” So says the artist who this year has taken over the Edinburgh festivals – with an exhibition, a project marble cladding the piss-stained Scotsman Steps, a ballet, and now two books – Turner Prize winner Martin Creed. Themes frequently referenced in an illuminating discussion on his practice include his desire to make art that is like music. He wants to show the process of making, in the same way that a musician performing displays the creation of their work live on stage. He strives towards immortality, to make art that is indestructible, like music, like a diamond. He shies away from making value judgments, hence why so much of his work involves varied multiples, a selection of chairs, different sizes of dog. He chose to pursue a career in art because he is very competitive, and it’s almost impossible to lose at it. Ironic, then that he ended up in the biggest competition in the visual art world. “I was really scared about the Turner Prize because I was really desperate to win it,” he says. A conversation with Martin Creed proves enlightening, the artist revealing himself to be a likeable and honest character who just wants his work to be loved. “I don’t know how to make a piece that people like. I wish I did.” Don’t we all, Martin, don’t we all. [Rosamund West]