Neil Beattie (47) is lead artist of Culture Night's centrepiece Ogham Grove installation at Writer's Square in Belfast city centre.
How do you unwind at the weekend?
I actually work full-time in product development at Encom Energy Systems on smart energy management devices, which is very important now. Generally I do my own personal projects at the weekend, like furniture design. I relax by using reclaimed salvage material to make things. Recently I made a bed out of pallets with the blocks as the feet. It's very low and a bit like a futon, but you can put a comfortable mattress on top. You also have the symbols on the pallets, of the makers or of the mark for sustainable wood. It's geometric, like a needle. I gave it to my nephew. I also relax by meeting up at weekends with a couple of friends and we make rock electric music. I'm the bass player.
What do you recall about weekends growing up?
I grew up in Lambeg and I recall skateboarding as a teenager. When I was younger, six or seven, I was a BMX-er but judging by the cuts and bruises I sustained, I wasn't that good. This would have been on the Aberdelghy BMX track, beside the golf course. As a teenager I was unruly and yes, I was a punk.
Friday or Saturday night?
Saturday night is to make music and I also go at the weekend to the Northern Lights bar.
Do you have a must-listen weekend radio show or podcast?
Not really, I don't generally listen to podcasts and rarely watch TV.
Do you have a must-watch TV programme or box set?
I watch a lot of YouTube on how to make things. That's how I generally do research on projects. It's a bit Blue Peter, which I wasn't that keen on back in the day. I was more into cartoons like G-Force.
Is Sunday still special?
I am an atheist, so no. Only in terms of you don't have the phone ringing.
Favourite eatery or is it a takeaway?
Probably a Thai takeaway. We get food from Street Thai in Eglantine Avenue. My favourite dish is gang kua, a mildly spicy red curry with duck.
How do you feel on Sunday night about Monday morning?
I really enjoy my work and have never had that 'haven't done my homework' feeling. I look forward to it and don't mind Sunday evening. That is my philosophy of life - to make sure you're doing something you enjoy. It's a very fortunate position to be in, although I know some people are happy just to put the eight hours in. And there are a lot of jobs nobody would appreciate. I am extremely grateful to be where I am, even if the money can sometimes be poor.
The Ogham Grove is at Writer's Square, Belfast, until 10pm tomorrow.
