CREATIVPAPER Magazine
Issue 20
Welcome
CreativPaper allows both the art and importantly, the artist to shine. The art space is saturated with voices; connectivity and social media have made it ubiquitous, making it harder for individuals to stand out. Some artists make millions, while others barely manage to scrape by. It is hard for an artist to show themselves, they’re drives, and what informs their practice along with their work. Our responsibility as a publication is to look beneath the craft and reflect the issues that many artists find essential. Good art is not just aesthetically pleasing; it has meaning and addresses the world and our condition. Themes of inequality, environmental crisis, innovation, identity and consciousness are values we deeply believe in. These shared values help artists find kindred souls in CreativPaper.
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Contents
06 DEVON GOVONI 14 DAVE CURTIS 18 LUANA STEBULE 22 ERIKO KANIWA 26 MIKOLAJ WLODARCZYK 30 BRITTA ORTIZ 36 SILVIA YAPUR 42 KATY KIDD 46 MATTY HEIMGARTNER 50 JEROME CHIA-HORNG LIN 54 ALFRED KRUPA 58 NORA KOMOROCZKI (MANO) 62 TROY BUNCH 68 G. PACK 74 REBECCA MILLER 80 MOUSSA SALMAN 82 MAGDALENA WOZNIAKMELISSOURGAKI 88 BIANCA SEVERIJNS 92 MARINA SCHRECKLING 96 ZHIWEI PAN
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Cover Artist
DEVON GOVONI devongovoniartist.com
We are complex human beings, with different desires, drives and needs to survive and flourish. Like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, we interconnect with the world in a myriad of ways on both a physical and emotional level. Sometimes the pieces fit, sometimes they don’t. Dr Devon Govoni, using expressive art therapy helps her patients cope with the obstacles that life throws their way. An artist herself, creating art has been a way for her to explore the intricacies of relationships throughout her life. Social justice issues, environmental concerns, politics, and deep human emotions connected to these concepts are critical to her work. If there is one thing that we have learned through the millenia, that is art transcends language, borders and time itself. We need it more than ever.
Would you say that there has been a lack of focus on the humanitarian crisis with the current pandemic? In this pandemic, I feel there is a lack of attention on humanitarian issues for sure. The problem is that there is usually a general collective dismissal of all humanitarian crises without a pandemic, particularly in Western society. What does seem to be happening though in the United States is that more crises overall are being exposed. Issues at our south border where children are still being separated from parents is being noticed again because the government is now sending unaccompanied children back to their countries of origin or back to Mexico with no plans for reuniting the originally separated family members.
The Black Lives Matter movement has finally gotten the attention of many people who have often looked past the issue of systemic racism because it never directly impacted them. Finally people are understanding that silence is also part of the oppressive cycles that keep people from opportunities and real change to happen. People are not working due to the pandemic and are unable to pay for necessities while big corporations have gotten all of their tax paying dollars to simply allow them to buy back their stocks. All of this is being observed and experienced by the masses‌let’s hope that true change is on the horizon and that more good than bad from this global crisis can take place. 06
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Congratulations on your recent doctorate! Was it a bit of an anticlimax celebrating it whilst being in lockdown? Graduating during a pandemic was extremely uncool and anticlimactic yes. However, as a clinician, it provided me with an understanding about how some of my graduating highschool and college clients are processing the inability to celebrate these “rights of passage� moments in life. Many people have had to mourn a variety of losses. So I could sit and focus on the lousy parts of it all, or try to find some of the positives that the pandemic has brought about. I am sad that I could not see my friends, family, colleagues, mentors, and teachers to celebrate the most important journey of my life to date. However, I have been in contact with so many of my people, present and past, over the past several months as we have been on stay at home orders and recommendations. Video calls have been nice. Making plans for presenting at conferences virtually has been interesting. Being home with my two best kitty friends Dr. Nathaniel Meowenstien and Zoe Meowenstien MD has been amazing. They are happy that I have finished school so now we are a house of doctors together!
country of origin, make the weeks long journey through harsh geographical and climate states, the dangers that present all along the way that often leave long lasting traumatic impact on them, and the mistreatment that happens once in US custody at the borders. It is legal for a human to go to another country and request asylum. So it is hard to understand why people are being detained in such deplorable conditions when doing so. Having been working on the Mexican side of the border, the team has been able to see a much better treatment of asylum seekers, with much less resources. In Mexico, pastors, church leaders, social workers, and other care taking entities have created shelter spaces where they can, are providing whatever schooling they can, are assisting with medical and mental health needs, and are helping them all navigate the governmental systems in both Mexico and the United States.
The conditions in the shelters are not excellent and they do not have all of what they may need, but it is so much better than the privately owned detention centers that the United States is putting people in that is more designed like prison and have even less resources than in the Mexican Could you tell us a bit about the work shelters. It is truly sad because this country that is being carried out with regards to has the resources but refuse to care for individuals that are being incarcerated humans and rights and dignity. So Voces by ICE on the Southern borders of the will continue working with the teams in United States? Right now I am part of Voces Arts and Heal- Mexico to provide what mental health care we can from a distance virtually and on ing, a collective of expressive arts healers, the ground physically through our growing who have been working with the migrant mentorship program. crisis at the Southern Border of the United States. Since the start of the pandemic, the How has your approach to art changed team has not been able to be in the in 2020? shelters, but we have begun mentoring My art for 2020 has been to sculpt and workers on the ground working with the asylum seekers. We continue to learn about photograph more, as I feel a strong pull to both and look forward to seeing where the struggles that the journey to seeking these art forms bring me and what they asylum entails. We also learn about how bring to me. I have painted a little but it is difficult it is to decide to leave your 08
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Mark’s Serpent Friend
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not capturing what I am needing to express. What I am needing to express is often unclear until I begin something and then the art leads the way. That is a typical process for me, just start creating, sculpting, photographing and then the art itself emerges and will direct me where to head for creation and expression. It is truly a fascinating dance when engaging in a responsive art process. I could be feeling a variety of emotions that are hard to identify as they are all swimming around in my body and mind together, but once I start sculpting, a form emerges, and a face, and an expression, and then it becomes clear where to go and when it is finished. So I am responding to emotions, situations, relationships with these monster sculptures and then the sculptures provide me with knowledge, insight, and ideas on how to manage what was initially happening and how to proceed when dealing with the circumstances further.
I am truly thankful for this because we are in unprecedented times and it is very scary for many people. My goal as a mental health professional in all of this to remain as balanced as possible, lead by example, encourage bravery and boldness, and to help everyone else find some good that has come from the pandemic…all while remembering that I am human too and sometimes need a break to breath! If there is anything I can encourage your readers to do if they find themselves struggling through the pandemic, it is to reach out to loved ones and reach out for professional help. Having someone to talk to once or twice a week to process what is happening and to discuss ideas on how to deal with the pandemic and associated stressors can be a game changer.
It is increasingly becoming evident that the current situation in the world isn’t going to change anytime soon. How will this affect the art world in your opinion? Covid-19 does not seem to be ending The healing properties in it are evident to anytime soon. I believe it will lead to some me. That is why I used the method in both amazing art, of all varieties, to be born. I my pilot study and dissertation research, in think some of the arts will suffer in ways, treatment with clients, and when but art being made will not stop. Some of processing with colleagues. One of my the most powerful. Art comes from times of close colleagues used the method in a struggle. I know the arts have been hit hard class and had amazing results and because people are not able to go perform, feedback from the students. We are writing showcase, present, or share art in the ways articles about the use of the method now so that they are use to, but it does not mean it is all pretty exciting! that art is stopping or that we creatives can’t get creative on how to figure out new As a certified therapist, how are you ways to survive through the arts and to personally dealing with the changes in continue sharing them with the world. the world right now? As a therapist in a pandemic, I think that This is one of those bonuses that the people believe you are a superhero. As I pandemic has provided… many artists feel like one, on days when it is observed have been given this time of reflection and or reported that someone is less stressed, re-invention due to being sidelined. This depressed, anxious, or scared after working is a curse to many artists, but if we all dig with me, it is simply not a reality. However, I deep and harness our creativities in new do feel that I may be a little better equipped ways, I believe there are gifts among this for dealing with crises due to my messed up situation. It is important to truly professional training and experience. embraced the idea of re-invention, with or without a pandemic as a catalyst. 11
People get so caught up in their day to day business that we often lose a bit of ourselves and our passions through it all. When we have moments to stop, be still, and reflect, we can recalibrate who we are, what we need and want, what we stand for, and what our purpose in this life may be. So instead of being sad artists that are unable to be how we have always been, we can be inspired artists who shift perspectives and welcome newness and the unknown…
to journal for positive mental health. Whether it be used to vent about stressors, focus on positives, engage on deeper levels spiritually, or to simply organize ones thoughts, it is a great resource for balanced mental health.
Where is your favourite place to grab brunch on a Sunday in Plymouth, Massachusetts? Right now, my favorite place to have brunch in Plymouth, Massachusetts is my kitchen ;) What podcasts is Devon listening to at Especially since a dear friend recently the moment? challenged my culinary creativity and for Podcasts! I am listening to The Thom that I am very thankful! But if I were to Hartmann Report. It is political and resume life as normal and go out to educational and a truly solid source of restaurants, my favorite place for any meal information. Thom Hartmann broadcasts for is Mallebar Brasserie, a super cool French 3 hours daily on Sirius, Patrion, place in town. Youtube, and beyond, then puts out this hourlong podcast daily from his show. He I knew it was cool the first time I went in fact checks everything and his team puts there because they have a large painting out a daily document with the sources cited of Anthony Bourdain on the wall. Then on in the show. another occasion while visiting there, the owner and head chef of the restaurant and He invites guests from all political sectors, I realized we shared a same tattoo artist is a phenomenal historian, gives great who now lives in Mexico. The owner also suggestions of how to be active in making owns the Blue Eyed Crab in town that is a change, and delivers information in ways wonderful Jamaican restaurant. So I would that everyone can understand. Thom go hang out in those places if life were as Hartman also has a weekly podcast called it once was. For now I will stay in my kitchThe Science Revolution as well. Other en and wait for my friends to give me new podcasts I have also been listening to are recipes to try cooking, or just eat sugar free Don Lemon’s Silence is not an Option, popsicles like it’s my job! END Russel Brand’s Under the Skin, and Jay Shetty’s On Purpose. Do you think more of us should be journaling and why? I do feel as though people should be journaling and documenting this moment in time so that people in the future can get a real and true sense of what is going on in the world. Perhaps with enough documentation, people in the future will not have to go through the pain that is present for many people in many nations. Other than this possible positive to journaling and documenting these times, it is a great idea 12
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Artist Feature
DAVE CURTIS davidecurtisart.weebly.com
You don’t have to be a believer of climate change to realise that our planet is in a state of accelerated motion when it comes to the weather. All around the globe, we are observing reports of freak weather conditions and this is only going to get worse. This is not a new concept; over billions of years, our planet has been undergoing constant change through its various extinctions and physical variations. It’s just that there have been no other species that has had a drastic impact as we do. Artist Dave Curtis’s work acts as a link between time and change. Over the last three decades as an artist, his themes have ranged from the earth in its early days along with dystopia, history, religion and philosophy.
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Men-O-War, acrylic on canvas, 24” x 24”, 2020
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Meat The Beetles, 4 paintings, each acrylic on canvas, each 24” x 24”, each completed in 2019
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Patrick Henry’s Dilemma, acrylic on canvas, 24” x 24”, 2020
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Interview
LUANA STEBULE luanastebulefineart.co.uk
A recipient of the 3rd Leonardo Da Vinci prize in Florence earlier this year. Artist Luana Stebule was born in Lithuania but currently resides in the United Kingdom. A move into her new home has kept her occupied this year but with 22 solo and 37 shared exhibitions under her belt, she is not one to keep still when it comes to her art. In our conversation with her, Luana talks about the importance of physical events in the art space, her poetry and the crippling price of taking part in exhibitions to name a few. Where does Luana draw most her inspiration? The majority of inspiration comes from silence and meditation. I trust my intuition. But five years ago I was inspired by research on the Internet, I was impressed by shoe’s forms houses, and the rare type of orchids and created nearly 20 artworks.
in Lithuanian language and 4th poetry book”Ephemeral Awaking”, which was published in March 2020, in the English language. In many ways, my poems are like pictures; collages, my artworks like poems. The same principle.
How does the current situation in the world, both political and with regards to the pandemic, affected you as an artist? I think the current situation does not affect me as an artist. I was too busy to get depressed. We moved home and the majority of the time I spent designing a new big garden. Also, I started a lot of new artworks in a different style.
How do you think the world, which primarily relies on physical exhibitions and events, will evolve moving forward? The physical exhibitions will take priority as nothing will take away from the physical involvement of the customers with the artwork itself. However, with the restrictions on the current market situation, online exhibitions increase in importance together with non-contact media such as online art galleries, magazines.
We believe you have written three poetry books, could you tell us a bit about them? Yes, I have written three poetry books
What is it about collages that keep you coming back to them as a medium of expression? For many years I have been working in the 24 18
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theatre and creating stage projects, I love the richness of the surface. In my collages, I use wood, sawdust, mirrors, leather, textile. With these materials, I am creating another level of expression, the spiritual and physical body of artwork juxtaposed and suffusing it veritably forming jazz of visual performance. Are there any elements of the art world that you find frustrating? Probably, the prices of exhibitions. I have got a lot of invitations to make solo exhibitions, in the good art gallery, but prices in London, New York or Barcelona are similar, at £4000. It is very expensive for me. At this moment I am not selling very well. You’ve often talked about the warmth of the English countryside and its people, has that changed since you moved to England all those years ago?
Yes, I love England and British people for the way they communicate. I love British architecture, literature and history. I am a member of the National Trust and have visited a lot of amazing places and enjoy it. My point of view became wilder. What are you working on at the moment? This summer I have started about 10 new artworks differently. Also, continue painting my old artworks, I like to come back and improve my old paintings. How does Luana start her Sunday? My Sunday starts from a cup of coffee and meditation. Usually, it is one day when I am not painting. It is a day for God and analyses. END
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Artist Feature
ERIKO KANIWA sensegraphia.jp
The creator of Sensegraphia Fine Art, Eriko Kaniwa is a digital photographic fine artist based in Tokyo. Her work re-defines photography as we know it placing nature in the centre of her work, reminding us that we are a small piece in the puzzle of our world and not the other way around. She spent a year and a half exploring symbols of Japanese nature worship which are exemplified in the “eight million gods� of Shinto and reflecting on how ancient Japanese viewed natural scenery and symbolized it as an object of prayer. Travelling to over twenty locations throughout Japan, the images are collected, together with text, in her book JOKEI: Symbols of Nature Worship, Sacred Places in Japan. The book was awarded internationally as one of the best fine art photo books. Also, she creates imaginative abstract artworks based on her unique philosophy, Her photographic artworks can be found at some galleries, international art fairs, such as Fotofever Paris or Barcelona Foto Biennale.
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Neo Primitive Life Imagery / Aquatic #1, digital art, print on paper, coated with gloss optimizer, 50cm x 37.6cm, 2020
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Nautilus Universe - Branching, digital art, print on paper, coated with gloss optimizer, 70cm x 70cm, 2020
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Nautilus Universe - Collision #2, digital art, print on paper, coated with gloss optimizer, 70cm x 70cm, 2020
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Artist Feature
MIKOLAJ WLODARCZYK instagram.com/_isatattoo_/
Working out of the Evolved Body Art Tattoo and Piercing Studio in Columbus, Ohio, Artist Mikolaj Wlodarczyk translates the results of his artistic experimentation into tattoos. After completing a Masters Degree in Philosophy, he moved from one job to another. Picking up skills as a carpenter and a goldsmith that he utilises in his art. He experiments with different materials and techniques to achieve alluring results. He spent several years travelling through Belgium and Spain tattooing and making art.
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Interview
BRITTA ORTIZ britta-ortiz.dk
Lack of control. That’s how most of us feel when we wake up each morning. 2020 has sure made it harder to get out of bed. Amid a global pandemic, it is easy to feel like decisions that affect you and us as a race are being made for us. It is one thing to make decisions for the safety and security of the population but noticeably, governments around the world are passing laws and regulations that restrict freedom of speech, liberties and mobility. Artist Britta Oritz is in synergy with these changes and how it affects the marginalised amongst us. Born in 1959, she learnt her art through various artists. She also existentially relates to the world, finding a balance between the positive and negative.
You’ve been creating art from a young age, do you remember those first steps into the world of art? Two people have been crucial to my becoming an artist. They were artists themselves and I got them in visual arts in primary and secondary school, respectively. They inspired me, but also allowed me to get extra lessons in visual arts. From 8th class, the subject of visual arts was an elective. Unfortunately, I was the only one who chose it and the subject was not created. My visual arts teacher understood my frustration and took be in a kind of craft’s apprenticeship, for I was allowed to come to his classes and be taught art, even though it was woodwork he taught the other younger pupils. My visual arts teacher in high school told me, that he would like me to take part in an introductory course
for the academy of fine arts every Saturday for 2 years. He was a teacher on the course along with a sculptor. I loved these Saturdays where I could draw and paint from 9. a.m. to 4 p.m. My parents did not want me to become an artist. Throughout my upbringing, I had wanted art supplies for Christmas and birthdays, but I never got it, and when I had to choose education, they showed in every possible way that they wanted me to take a university education as the first in the family. I therefore applied to study medicine. During the study, I quickly found out that I need to use both halves of the brain if I am to function optimally. For many, many years, I made art for my own sake and did not show my art to others. Today I do not regret that I became a doctor, because my education has given me many 30 32
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experiences and an insight into many things that I would not have had if I had become a full-time artist as a young person. My meeting with many people and my work have helped shape me into who I am today. As the same time, through my work, I have become very aware of the short distance between life and death. Most people meet almost only people who look like themselves. As a doctor, on the other hand, you meet people from all social classes and in both grief and joy. My career as a doctor is also untraditional as I have never become a specialist. This is because I followed my heart and applied for a position as a project manager in the field of lifestyle disease prevention. While working on lifestyle disease prevention, I quickly found out that my medical knowledge was not sufficient. That’s why I have also studied psychology and taken a master’s degree in health anthropology. In my work I use both my academic and creative abilities. I am lucky that I have been allowed to develop both sides of my brain. Already as a teenager, I had the attitude that the creative subjects should have more space in the educations as I believe that all people are good at something. Not everyone masters the academic subjects, but many will be good at creating things with their hands. This gives them some successful experiences that give them greater self-confidence and courage to learn things they may not be so good at. At the same time, they will be able to be proud of the things they create. As an advocate for animal rights, how important is equality of species for you? We humans certainly have a lot to answer for! Many people consider man to be much wiser than animals. The problem is that humans judge animals from a human perspective, and the criteria we set concerning intelligence are man-made. Animals often
do not need the abilities that human’s value to do well in their world. If, on the other hand, you look at the animals based on what they need to be able to do, you will find out what amazing abilities the animals have. Man, unfortunately thinks he has a greater right to be on earth than all other species. Therefore, man is also man’s worst enemy. The best thing man can do to protect the earth is to educate all people on earth for education means that man gives birth to fewer children. It will slow down population’s growth. Humans are one of many species here on earth, and we can learn a lot from what happens to other species if they become too numerous in an area. Mass death occurs. Man tries by all means to fight mass death, but at some point, there will be an outbreak of disease that man will have a hard time fighting. What have you been working on at the moment? The question: “What have you been working on at the moment?” should be easy to answer, but it’s not to me, because I am always working with different works in different arts, so I will only tell you about what I do in graphics. In October, I will be attending a major exhibition. Here I will be exhibiting graphic works. I am therefore experimenting with making etching engravings, and of course I also plan to make new wood- and linocuts. It’s pretty new to me to work with etching engraving, so it’s an area I’m just starting to explore. I find it exciting to learn new things and find out how I can apply new techniques to achieve some exciting expressions. How do you find a balance between message and aesthetics in your work? You ask me about how I find a balance
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between message and aesthetics in my work. And I have to answer that I unfortunately do not know. I am fascinated by nature and it inspires me to express how I relate to the world. At the same time, I am very aware that through my art I can express things that I am not always fully aware of before I start on a work of art. I want to show that there is beauty in things that are not usually associated with anything beautiful in our society. These can be insects, old people or overweight people, for example. I also want to express that we humans are alike even though we come from different continents, have different skin colour, gender, social background and so on. We are human beings and the world would be a much better place if we started to consider each other as mere human beings and not as competitors or enemy images.
my art that matter, but whether I feel that a work feels right to me or not. I try to be honest and authentic with myself. If I am not, I will lose myself. What does Britta look forward to after a long day in the studio? Other people have never been able to understand how I manage the things I manage. I still work full time and when I am not working, I work with my art, but there is also time to work in my big garden, renovate my house, go for a walk, meet friends, go to the theater and the cinema, be with my family and learn new things. I still need to use both the right and left hemisphere of the brain. I think I get the energy for all these things through then place I live. I live in the countryside and I love the silence and the animals that surround me – both my animals and the animals in the fields that visit my tiny little lake and my garden. END
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Artist Feature
SILVIA YAPUR silviayapur.com @silvia_yapur_art
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Silvia Yapur relocated to Miami many years ago where she has extensively exhibited her work over the years. Silvia Yapur is a Mixed Media artist with a passion for textiles. She says; “I seemed to quickly connect with the special environment created by threads, fabrics, scissors, chalk, measuring tapes and sewing machines that I had been exposed to throughout my childhood sitting on my grandparents’ workbench - both were tailors. I was surrounded by an artistic craft my entire life as a carpenter’s daughter a live model for a seamstress aunt. It is quite easy for me to fuse textile artisanship with new technologies. Anyway, I assume that my aesthetic language is primarily centered on the creation of collages, using diverse techniques throughout my artistic training and experiences. That’s why, lately focus on Mixed Media Art, I see as my natural creativity pushes me to experiment with different techniques, which allows me to materialize creations with collage, engraved printmaking, etching and/or textile.”
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Artist Feature
KATY KIDD katykidd.com
Art has many purposes, but it is often seen as a stimulus, the catalyst in our mind that sparks an array of emotions. Anger, love, frustration, hate, joy and sorrow. Never has there been a genre of creativity that can bring about as diverse a reaction from its viewers. Yet for artist Katy Kidd, art is a way to explore diversity around the planet. The way we live, love, worship and survive. The clear divide between the have and have nots that seems to be universal no matter where we go, a psychological and tangible fissure that seems to have widened with the current pandemic. She wants to inspire the viewer to think outside their comfort zone. Her mixed media consists of oil and acrylics, spray paints, inks and enamel on paper, wood, fabric, vellum and acetate to name a few.
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Artist Feature
MATTY HEIMGARTNER mattyheimgartner.com
Matty Heimgartner is a visual artist living in San Jose, California. His art explores the highs and lows he has personally experienced. “I am a storyteller, but I tell my stories with paintings. I tell stories about my life from the point of view of a person in the LGBTQ+ community, a man who has battled for his mental health, struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction but has also succeeded in many aspects of life. Everything that I am and what I have been through goes into my art. I often reflect on my life as a young boy who did not fit in while growing up in East San Jose. Creating art is the therapy that I use to work through any unresolved conflicts that I’ve encountered both internally and externally. By making such personal Art, I hope to encourage people to dig into their selves to truly understand who they are. I am inspired by all the things that I see, feel, hear, touch and taste, but I am most inspired by the emotions that run through me. Sometimes I do not even understand the sentiment until I see it in acrylic paint on my canvas or in watercolour and ink on paper.”
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Original Doll, acrylic on canvas, 20” x 16”, 2018
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Intrusive, acrylic on canvas, 20” x 16”, 2020
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Daytime Anxiety, acrylic on canvas, 20” x 16”, 2020
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Artist Feature
JEROME CHIA-HORNG LIN jeromelin.net
Fascinated by the vastness of the human mind and the wonders of mother nature, Taiwanese artist Jerome Chia-Horng Lin believes his artistic practice is an amalgamation of the two with emphasis placed on the exploration of images created in the human mind. He has spent the last few years working on his egg series a topic that continues to fascinate him till this day. He believes he is on a spiritual journey with a path that changes organically as he creates. Letting the spiritual and spontaneous aspects of being an artist guide his next steps. We are excited to see where they lead him next.
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Ask the heaven, oil on canvas, 60.5 x 50cm, 2018
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The waterfall from an egg, oil on canvas, 60 x 60cm, 2019
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The floating eggs after they reach the bottom, oil on canvas, 100 x 80cm, 2019
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Interview
ALFRED KRUPA facebook.com/AlfredFreddyKrupa
Coming from a multiethnic Silesian family with a long tradition in visual arts, artist Alfred Freddy Krupa is Croatian contemporary painter, master draughtsman, book artist, art photographer and teacher. His work in ink is considered to be of vital importance for the global integrity of modern ink painting. His ink-on-paper pieces reflect a minimalist, mathematical approach. Each of his pieces is spontaneous, raw and direct, achieving a personal and authentic artistic signature. In our interview with him, we talk about his motivation in the studio, what he is currently listening to and painting ‘en plain air’. Could you tell us a bit about the New Ink Art movement? Modern Ink Painting is one of the world major art movements of the 20th and 21st century and it is still developing. It blends and combines art practices, materials (focus on ink, of course) and world/philosophy outlook of the artists of both East (Asia) and West (Europe, Americas, Australia etc.) therefore, perhaps, it can be said that it is truly the new world order art movement. It is both the modern and the contemporary painting movement in the narrow sense of that word and it is one of the genuine expressions of our time.
in the 1990’s when western artists joined (but remaining independent) the New Ink Art movement. At that moment it has been transformed into the global art movement. As a matter, it is correct to say that European or Western New Ink Art or Modern Ink Painting movement provide genuine perspective for itself. There are groups and associations in Europe, the US, Australia…
Among others, I wrote the New Ink Art Manifesto in 1996 and Sumi-e Painting From the Perspective of a Traditional Academically-trained European Artist in 2013. Today I have found one description of my work (quote): “Krupa who is not a follower It started in 20th century Hong Kong under of Lui Shou-Kwan (Krupa in China is called Great Britain and for long, it was considered “the Foreign Master”) is doing something essentially opposite/different from Shou to be the local and ethnic Chinese or East Kwan and his group, he reinterprets Asian art phenomena. Offered works and sales at major auction houses demonstrate Western modernism in the form of the Far this erroneous belief. That myth was busted East ink art”. That is my contribution to the growing movement. through a longer period but expressively 38 54
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To say that your family has endured through adversity is a bit of an understatement, do you ever feel like you are standing on the shoulders of giants? Yes, I felt that often. Particularly it was a strong feeling when I was young. With the accumulation of my fair share of life adversity and injustice which I survived, with time that sensation started to decline a bit. But awareness of their demonstrated strength, courage and intelligence, respect and gratitude for all never. For those unfamiliar with his work, is there a body of work of the late Lui Shou-Kwan that you suggest we familiarize ourselves with? Yes, of course. He is credited with founding the New Ink Painting Movement in Hong Kong. I am not an expert for the body of his work and I don’t know what everything he created, but if asked to highlight something then perhaps that should be works from the 1960s-1970s. Does motivation in the studio come to you naturally? For me, it does not matter is it in the studio or not. If it comes it comes, then I work, inner pressure (or inner need if you like), seek to be released and materialized in some visual form, in some image. If one is a genuine artist than he or she cannot separate “naturally” from “motivation”. A special case is when you must complete a paid commission. You’ve been known to paint ‘en Plein air’, do you think this is something every artist should try? Absolutely! Work in the ever-changing reality of nature and the comfort of your studio are two different things. At least all should obtain minimal practical experience to develop respect for artists and works created directly out there in nature.
creativity? I think it did not touch my ability to express ideas and feeling, perhaps I can say that it slowed me down. I need time to process the tsunami of information and unforeseen life events into genuinely changed visual language. On the other hand, people say that all what I created in 2020 is of lower volume but a genuine interpretation of our reality in an indirect way. What is Alfred listening to at the moment? Hahaha, a lot of things but recently and most number of old or somewhat older hits like Melancholy Man (Moody Blues), Eleonore (The Turtles), Time Of The Season (The Zombies), Parisian Walkways (Gary Moore), Ghost Town (The Specials), In The Year 2025 (Zager and Evans), Porcelain (Moby), Crazy (Gnarls Barkley), Fuck You (Lilly Allen), Space Oddity (David Bowie), This Love (Maroon 5) …there are many fantastic and diverse achievements in music in last 50-60 years. Are there any pieces that you are working on at the moment that we should look out for soon? Yes, of course, I am always working on something. Some of those works are oil on canvas and concerns life in a river, some other reinvestigate grated (Sgraffito) ink technique and others. But, please allow me to remain secretive until the time for public presentation comes. Usually, idea and feeling (inspiration if you wish) come without announcement and I change my planned pace. END
Has the current pandemic and the ensuing economic fallout affected your 57
Artist Feature
MANO
artnow0.webnode.com
It was in the ‘80s that artist Mano (Nora Komoroczki) was moved by the bright colour of Hungarian and Scandinavian landscapes. The blocks of bright colour among the green and rugged landscapes which is typical of northern Europe were the stepping stones into the world of art. This was followed by an opportunity to travel the world extensively and meet interesting people from different cultural backgrounds. Her paintings were invited to solo and group exhibitions in Stockholm, Vienna, Brussels, Tel Aviv, New York and Budapest to name a few. Currently living and working in Budapest, Hungary. Her goal as an artist is to capture the beauty of nature in both our surroundings and people, highlighting what makes us unique and united.
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Morning sunshine, oil on canvas, 60 cm x 80 cm, 2019
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Hoarfroast and snow, oil on canvas, 80 cm x 60 cm, 2019
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Ater work, oil on canvas, 50 cm x 60 cm, 2019
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Artist Feature
TROY BUNCH troybunch.com
Being an artist comes with its own set of obstacles, long hours in the studio, large amounts of time spent in isolation and rising costs of supplies. The list goes on. Yet as creatives we push forward, reminding ourselves of the reason why we picked our defiant paths, to go against the grain and to express and inspire. Currently based in Washington, D.C. Artist Troy Bunch is a full-time self-employed fine artist. Before Troy pursued fine art full time most of his workday ranged from doing freelance commercial art to managing the Design and Visual Communications Departments of a National Training Centre and at the Headquarters External Affairs of a large federal agency in Washington, D.C. “Since I admire the beauty and complexity of the human form, and enjoy the challenges in representing the body realistically, most of my work depicts nudes juxtaposed with images from nature and dreams. I think my work could best be categorised as imaginative realism or perhaps surrealism. And while I strive to produce interesting, thought-provoking and beautiful paintings that have meaning to me, I also hope the viewer can find their own significance in them as well.�
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Interview
G.PACK forglory.co
Most of us are terrified of change, we are happy to live our existence in our daily habit loops but getting too comfortable with our lives can be decremental to creativity and an hindrance to learning new things. Baltimore artist G. Pack always tries to push himself creatively when he feels that he is getting too comfortable. “As soon as I feel myself getting used to my methods or routines, I know it’s time to add in a new element or learn a new skill.” That same outlook is what ultimately pushed G.Pack to create his clothing label called; For Glory. As an artist, do you believe that chaos and anarchy are essential parts of the creative process? In my early days of making art, I definitely thought so. Nowadays, I don’t feel that way at all. I think chaos and anarchy can certainly lead to the creation of powerful pieces, but I don’t feel like those pieces age well. I want to make work that moves people for years and years by always bringing them back to the emotion that they felt at first glance. I feel like my best work is created when my mind is clear and my heart is at peace. That’s why both prayer and meditation are so important to my process if I truly plan on channelling my inner expression through a painting. Is there a current project that you are working on that you would like to share with us? Right now I’m working on a portrait of a close friend and fellow artist, Jamir. I chose
him as a subject because I respect his creativity so heavily. He has a very mysterious, digital-like presence and personality. I knew painting him would bring out some of my best creativity because I plan on giving it to him as a gift. Life is short and I want to give pieces of my creativity to the people that have inspired me while I’m still able. Jamir happens to be a Pisces, so the portrait depicts two conjoined versions of him standing on the bottom of the ocean floor. There are two giant koi fish swimming around him in unison, encompassing him completely. Overall, the painting feels very bizarre and very ominous, but in a cool way. Just like him. As an artist, what elements of the art world do you find most frustrating? I’m really young compared to a lot of people who are in control of the art world, o I try my best not to feel entitled over anything.
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Agent-47, 48 x 60in, acrylic on canvas
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Slauson Boy, 30 x 40in, acrylic on canvas
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I do find it frustrating how difficult it is for a majority of artists to make a respectable living off of their hard work. I’m beginning to think that it’s a lot deeper than the art itself though, maybe it’s more so just the marketing and ingenuity behind it. I think I’m capable of making “better” work than a fair majority of some of the artists that are grossly successful today. But, maybe that’s just my opinion. Regardless, if I’m meant to reach the level of success that I’m striving for, I’m sure it’ll happen at the right time when I’m perfectly ready for it. I don’t want to receive anything in life prematurely. The world has changed at such an accelerated pace since the beginning of this year, how are you coping with all the changes? Lately, I’ve just been keeping myself as busy as possible in order to take my mind off all the chaos that seems to keep piling up this year. There are so many terrible situations going on all around the world that if I really allowed myself to soak it all in, I’d probably end up too paralyzed to move. So instead, I treat myself like a horse with blinders on and only focus on what’s directly in front of me. A piece of me does want to help make the world a better place, but I need to get to where I’m doing first and the world isn’t going to stop and wait for me. The only downside is that as soon one job is finished, I feel like I have to force myself to start focusing on the next two or three in order to stay in motion. It feels impossible to stay in the present. Downtime plays an important role in a creative person’s day. How do you deal with it? For me, downtime is whenever I’m with other people. I’m typically the friend that’s usually there to listen or try to understand what other people are living through. It helps remind me that I’m not the only one that’s completely lost inside the concept of
life. Whenever I’m alone, my mind is permanently in work mode. It’s always thinking of new ways to explore ideas or networking opportunities that I should be focusing on. So when I need a mental break, that’s I make myself available for others. When it’s time to focus again, I lock myself back in the crib. Mental health although still a taboo subject, can be expressed and treated through art. What are your thoughts on that? I like to let my mental health be expressed through my artwork in an unconscious manner. There are definitely groups of paintings that I’ve made years ago where you can visually see the rise/fall of my mental wellbeing. I find it interesting though because it wasn’t done purposely. Those thoughts and feelings were just subconsciously apparent. I feel like things are more tasteful and organic when I let them out that way. So for example, if I find myself depressed about something, I’d rather not attempt to make a painting that screams ‘I’m depressed about something.’ Instead, I would just choose to focus on making a painting that’s well made. More often then not, you’ll be able to tell exactly how I was feeling on the inside once it’s finished. How do you push yourself outside of your comfort zone creatively? Growth is always an uncomfortable process. As soon as I feel myself getting used to my methods or routines, I know its time to add in a new element or learn a new skill. That same outlook is what pushed me to create my own clothing line, ‘For Glory’. I was genuinely terrified to start making/selling my own clothes during the entire process, but I wanted to push myself creatively and see if I could produce the same level of craftsmanship and attention to detail as I do with my other mediums. 71
F*** The World, 24 x 48in, acrylic on canvas
canvases is simply like an invitation for the viewer to escape into the world that I visually live in. END
Ultimately, all of the products ended up selling out completely within the first two weeks. Now I’m able to feel like I have another weapon tucked under my belt, creatively speaking. What is the importance of escapism in your practice? Especially in our troubled times. Escapism is just about everything to me. I feel like I don’t really focus or care much about many of the societal things that other people were trained to care about. For maybe 90% of my day, I’m mentally living in my own space. I look at every moment like it’s a potential photograph or movie scene, constantly imagining where the camera should maybe be or what sounds should be present in order to emphasize the sensory experience. The scenes that you see in my work of these colourful portraits or super dramatic compositions are literally how my eyes are processing life around me in real-time. The practice of actually taking the time to physically paint these images onto
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Auction (BLM), 22 x 28in, watercolor on paper
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Artist Feature
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Artist Feature
MOUSSA SALMAN moussasalman.com Instagram.com/moussasalmanart
Adversity can be the catalyst for change and learning. When times are tough or the pressure is mounting, it can force us into a phase of excited accountability. As tough as this year has been, it has led to change and uprising, the likes of which we have not seen in a long time. For Egyptian born artist Moussa Salman, the stimulus was close to home. With no formal education in the arts, his creativity was driven by a response to his daughter’s chronic illness and the pressure it placed on the family. Abstract, yet controlled there is a fluidity in his pieces that captivates the viewer. Currently based in the Netherlands, his daughter Amal continues to be the centrepiece of his attention and life. His pieces proving that even in the darkest hours, one can be inspired.
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Sea of Love, 2020, giclee print on canvas, certified and signed, 6 limited editions, each one is a unique size. Size (4/6): 100 x 150cm
Lonely Lady, 2020, giclee print on canvas, certified and signed, 6 limited editions, each one is a unique size. Size (4/6): 100 x 133cm
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Interview
MAGDALENA WOZNIAKMELISSOURGAKI mandalenaw.wixsite.com
Magdalena Wozniak-Melissourgaki is a Polish Greek artist, her art style has been compared to Paul Cezzane and Auguste Renoir by art critics. A self-motivated and passionate artist, Magdalena combines the classical with modernity, as she takes timeless subjects or topics and presents a modern rendition of it. Magdalena paints using a variety of mediums including; oils, pastels, charcoals, and works on various creative projects. Magdalena is especially drawn to working on portraits and pays special attention to get a true likeness of the eyes as she firmly believes that our “eyes are windows to our souls”. We had the opportunity to catch up with Magdalena and discussed current events inspiration and life. The world has changed at such an accelerated pace since the beginning of this year, how are you coping with all these changes? This is true that since the beginning of this year we observed a lot of changes and this is disquieting. It is a difficult situation for all of us, what is the most shocking and a bit paradoxical in this all is the fact, that the reason of these fast changes is because the world suddenly stopped. Covid-19 made over almost all our reality in a very short time and influenced for every aspect in our life like habits, the way we work and social. The lockdown wasn’t different for art life and in this case it has impeded the organisation of exhibitions, meetings with other artists and exchange the views. If we can find a positive side of this situation, the isolation’s time was also the moment for reflection and looking for
new inspirations. Downtime plays an important role in a creative person’s day. How do you deal with it? Like I said before the downtime was hard, for sure, but also had some positives. Maybe it was difficult to live normal, however it was very productive and constructive time for me. Covid-19 sparked a lot of different emotions in me, negatives but also positives ones. All these feelings were the inspiration to create new series of paintings like the Covid collections and others. I took advantage of the downtime to overflow my creativity and transferred all my ideas on canvas. You work with many different mediums including; oils, pastels and charcoal but which is your favourite medium of choice? It is really hard to choose only one
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I’m waiting for you, acrylic on canvas 50 x 70cm, 2019/20
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Melancholy, acrylic on canvas, 2019
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technique because in my opinion everything depends on the type of artistic message which I want to express. Every medium gives a different effect, therefore the artist adjusts it accordingly to canvas or paper to show their feeling in the best way. Art is an international language which doesn’t need words and, however there is a communication between the artists and the audience. Every symbol, line or spot has a different meaning which all together have consequences to provide a lot of information. The compound of techniques and symbols is very fascinating and as every artist looks for the best way to express themselves by changing styles and techniques. So do I always need to achieve perfection and feel a need to create new works? Yes, doing the same art over and over doesn’t complete me. What was it like growing up in Poland? And how did the younger years impact your creativity? Since I was kid I have loved the art and painting was my passion. As a child I had a lot of energy and full head of ideas, so when my parents wanted to keep me preoccupied they used to give me paint and I was painting everywhere from paper, canvas to walls :) This strong feeling to art hasn’t gone, I received education in schools of Fine Arts, which are of a high standard in Poland and this positively impacted to my career. Since childhood I knew that I will be a painter and I think after all these years that every experience that we get in our life express in our art, from the theme, thinking, colours etc. What inspired you to move to Greece and how did Botis Thalassinos become your mentor? I love the antique art and always wanted to admire it in person, therefore after I finished my studies I came to Greece. I was born in Poland but I spent most of my life in Greece. I have two beautiful homelands
and in my opinion I am lucky for this reason. I love beautiful impressionistic light and Greece is full of it. It is a paradise for my eyes which I often use in my works. The motif of a window or door with intense light which shines through in, symbolises hopes and that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. After I moved to Greece I have opened my own studio, I started creating museum copies and express new ideas in paintings. I quickly got in touch with other artists and at the one exhibitions I met Botis Thalassinos who liked my pastels. Since this moment we use to have a lot of conversation about art, art studios, different techniques and theirs secrets. I’m really grateful to Botis, because all of these many tips and conversations were very valuable to me and gave me an incredible amount of motivation to develop further. You are a very busy person how do you manage your time effectively whilst ensuring you take some time out to relax? This is true that I have a small problem with my time. Currently I am a co-organiser and Jury committee at the Aegean Arts International Festival on Crete, member of Biennale, ambassador in Mondial Art Academia and jury at Children’s Art Gallery in Greece. I’m curator of the El Greco Museum and I’m responsible for the organisation of international exhibitions. Over the years I did illustrations, book covers, art installation, animation and sculpture. I have been cooperated with the Archaeological Museum, located on Crete and until now I’m making official and certificated copies of the most important artefacts and images from the Minoan Civilisation collection. Also, I teach the sensibility of emotion and beauty to the new generation and as an art therapist i voluntarily helped people who suffer from mental illnesses. I love what I do, it is fascinating and I don’t think of it as hard and boring work. 85
Burned with love, acrylic on canvas, 2019
When I want to rest and take a bigger breath I love to go for trips in nature. I like to visit mountains, gorges or the ocean, generally places without many people. Nature calms me, give me the possibility to charge my batteries and of course inspiration for drawing. What is the art scene like in Crete, Greece and how has it changed over the years? The art scene on Crete is changing but if I could be honest it still represents at a high level. The positive sides of change are bigger and better organised festivals, exhibitions, concert etc. Also, I see a lot of positive thing from audience that is bigger and more interested about art than in the past. Greece and Crete were the birthplace of civilisation and I am really happy that the need of art is still alive.
yourself and find own style. Even the best crafted copies never will be our work. In my opinion copying other artists work is needless, every one of us are unique and individual and see all see the World differently. The ability to express these observations in your own work is exactly what art is. Look for inspiration all the time and don’t be afraid to take risks. In art this is beautiful, the diversity, otherness, originality. There is a place for each of us, just create! END
What advice would you give to an aspiring artist who is looking to break out in the art world? My main advice to an aspiring artist is to be 86
A journey with love through life, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 80cm, 2019
A journey with love through life-Mystical lovers, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 80cm, 2019
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Artist Feature
BIANCA SEVERIJNS biancaseverijns.com @ bianca_severijns_paper_artist
Ever since the time of the Ancient Egyptians, paper has transformed the way we document, archive and communicate. It replaced stone with something more portable and accessible. It has led to the propagation so ideas, beliefs and language itself. Born in 1964 in the Netherlands, contemporary artist Bianca Severijns transforms paper into intricate complex artworks that create a unique visual impact. She aesthetically arranges hundreds of hand-torn pieces of paper into sculpture tapestries, murals and reliefs. Displacement, up-rooting & re-rooting and social themes are prominent themes through her pieces. Currently living in Israel, Bianca’s experiences as a migrant laid the foundations for her art. At the 2019 Venice Biennale, she created a wall installation of two large protective blankets and a video as a metaphor to convey fundamental human rights and needs of security, protection, acceptance, respect, freedom. Images courtesy of: Sigal Kolton
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Untitled 6, Movement and Rhythm 2018, contemporary art relief, Hand-torn paper, konjac, acrylic, H38 x W35 x D5cm
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Protective Blanket Hide, Protective Blanket Series 2019, Hand-torn paper, konjac, acrylic, thread, textile, H200 x W145 x D10cm
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Protective Blanket 11, Protective Blanket Series 2019, contemporary art sculpture, Hand-torn paper, acrylic, Konjac, glue, H:255 x W:190 x D:11cm
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Artist Feature
MARINA SCHRECKLING schreckling-paintings.de
Marina Schreckling is a German Artist born and bred in Berlin. In 2016 she receieved the International art award ÑDuc de Richelieu ñ Diamondì in the Ukraine and Marina was awarded the Woman Art Award in France in 2017. Like most artists Marina’s love for art and creating manifested during her childhood with her main focus being on painting the human form except for a few experiments she has stayed true to that topic. In this feature you will see 4 of 5 watercolours paintings from Marina Schreckling’s latest series titled; My Sentiments. The series consists of five watercolours in total and will be shown at the Darkerkant in Hamburg aboard the Cap San Diego between 22nd and 23rd October 2021. The event will also feature art, readings and music curated by Marina.
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Artist Feature
ZHIWEI PAN zhiweipan.com
Originally from Shanghai, China but currently based in Portland, Oregon, artist Zhiwei Pan’s work blurs the lines between reality and illusion. Her surrealist pieces highlight the contradictions and obstacles in reality while using bizarre and intriguing narratives to solve and vent. Zhiwei is constantly tapping into the minutia of our daily routines, sourcing inspiration for her pieces. Her work may have a strong surrealist theme but is deeply rooted in reality, All elements are combined with the purpose of expressing the inner poetry of her subjects.
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CreativPaper.com