I recently interviewed artist Peter Klint. Mr. Klint creates art from his studio located in Germany. Mr. Klint is widely renowned for his figurative paintings and his 'onelinedrawings' (He has had performances of said drawings in several German cities.). Mr. Klint has been an active member of the internatial artist movement 'Stuckism' since 2002.
When I viewed Mr. Klint's work I noted the fact that there is a lot of rich artistic history behind his work. One can observe a heavy influnce of modern German art in Peter's work. There are traces of Max Beckmann and others just beyond the surface.
Mr. Klint has an authentic voice of his own. A voice that speaks for the actions of everyday people. Themes of sex, our daily lives, and our emotive fears are all conveyed within the context of Mr. Klint's body of work.
A. "I discovered pretty early that any other work than creating art would mean a waste of time to me. But to stay alive I had to do a huge list of McJobs."
Q. How has creating art shaped you professionally and personally?
A. "Being an artist saves me from those jobs that would shape me personally - I was a free, open minded and creative guy at 18 when I started painting, and I needed to stay like this instead of getting my wings cut."
A. "As I'm a member of this society, my works act as a mirror of it - but that happens subconsciously.
The fact that I live in a society where I am able to work without restrictions is essential for me and for my art."
A. "The works of the Polish painter Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz had a huge influence on the portraits I did in 2001. I also like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Max Beckmann and Christian Schad - but of course being inspired doesn't mean copying anyone or anything."
A. "Of course, my paintings would look completely different, if I would have lived a different life - but the way that I work tells more about me than the objects shown."
Q. How long have you been a working artist?
A. "In 2001 I finally was able to quit the jobbing and to concentrate on art."
A. "Besides collecting art, they don't have anything in common."
Q. What is your artistic process?
A. "It depends - sometimes I know what will come out in the end, sometimes not.
Some of my paintings are inspired by photos, but if so I always change the perspective, the composition, the colours and the situation - there's nothing more boring than seeing a painting that obviously is simply copied from a photo."
Q. Why did you choose the medium(s) that you use?
A. "Because they fit best with the works I currently create: for my recent paintings I prefer acrylics because I paint in many layers and waiting for oils to dry would destroy the painting process. For the onelinedrawings I use eddings."
A. "I don't have a degree because I was too individualistic to bear with art teachers - I quit art school after two semesters."
Q. Where can we see more of your art?
A. "All my works since the mid 90s are archived on my website http://www.portraitfirma.de/."
A. "I'm not represented by a gallery because I don't like the current gallery system with its "let the artists bleed" fees and commission rates. So I prefer arranging my own exhibitions at community centers, art cafés,...
My next shows will take place in Berlin and Munich in 2007 - further information can be found on my website."
Q. What trends do you see in the 'art world'?
A. "I'm not interested in following any trends or fashions - I simply have to create art in my very own way."
A. "Actually some of my paintings have been deleted on my myspace account http://www.myspace.com/klintkunst - I'm glad that such hypocritical censorship wouldn't be possible here in Europe."
Q. What was the toughest point in your career as an artist? Have you ever hit rock-bottom?
A. "Artists tend to be pretty sensitive - so hitting rock-bottom happens to us quite often."
A. "Cause it's a necessity to do so."
Q. Can we find your art on MYARTSPACE.COM?
A. "Yes, I uploaded some works there."
A. "The "art scene" here on the island of Sylt (located in northern Germany by the Danish border), produces pure unaldurated kitsch that is sold to tourists. I prefer showing my works in Hamburg and other cities."
Q. Has politics ever entered your art?
A. "By participating in the stuckists "War on Bush" show in New Haven in 2003, my art entered politics - but politics never entered my art."
A. "'Lack of something' sounds so negative - I'm happy not to be part of a religious group or sect, because it's all about being part of 'the chosen few' and knowing some 'absolute truth' - and of course about the fear of finiteness and dead.
I prefer being honest with myself and that's an important criterion of my artistic work, too."
Q. Is there anything else you would like to say about your art or the 'art world'?
A. "I hope that the energy I put into my works inspires many people. And I'd be happy if more of those inspired people would dare to get in touch with me to talk about their experiences with my paintings."
I hope that you have enjoyed my interview with Peter Klint. Feel free to critique or discuss his work. You can find more of Peter's art by doing a search for klintkunst on the main site: http://myartspace.com/
Take care, Stay true,
Brian Sherwin
3 comments:
Peter Klint is the bees knees. (and the snake's hip, of course.) kudos!
Thanks for your flattering comment, Kim!
And thanks to Brian Sherwin for the excellent work he is doing on this website and blog.
Peter
klints art is deep, often critical and perfectly catching the spirit of the age. never finger pointing, rather with a impishly wicked humor and being absolutely sincere. the artwork is of great significance (btw: weak people can not be sincere. respect!).
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