Studio of Nicholas Mongiardo Nicholas: I spend a large amount of time with my children and I am always occupied. Very early on I instilled that there was no such thing as boredom. So they simply chose to occupy themselves with me and learn. I teach almost anyone what I know and know well. In their own way they surpassed me which was my goal.
how do you go about advising your sons? What are your relationships to each other like? have you felt astounded at times by what they make? Nicholas: Well ‘mistakes are for learning and achievements are for teaching.’ I exposed them to all art but especially minimal art such as Cy Twombly. How can scribbles be important fine art? Exactly the point. This ‘tuning of the eye’ is essential and I am grateful for those who taught me, especially to Michael and Tina Chow. Attention to detail, vital. Consistent inconsistencies are an element of nature. One doesn't recognize it but feels comfort in the company of it. Hand-made is filled with consistent inconsistencies. That is what we follow. Our work is based on that theory. The boys astound me almost every day. I am a very fortunate person. do you and your sons discuss each other’s projects and give feedback? is there cross-pollination and collaboration within the arts in your family? 40 •JULY 2016 The ArTfUL Mind
Photo: Kaitlyn Pierce
Nicholas: We discuss what we are doing 8 days a week and 26 hours a day. We live, eat, breath creation. There is a common denominator that people recognize in the work and bring to it my attention even though our work is very different. It is all stimulating.
each of your boys has found their own voice within art and design. how are all of them exploring their artistic passions? Nicholas: Taj is running MNINC building high end furniture both residential and stores internationally. He is also creating surfaces for these projects that are futuristic and amazing. At this time the industry wants New and Fresh never been seen before surfaces. He is also designing and building art furniture incorporating his own formulated surfaces. Massi is a graduate of Mass Art and at 16 had his self portrait exhibited at the Norman Rockwell Museum. He is currently living in NY illustrating books, designing skate board decks for Hopps, restaurant chalk drawings, Nike projects and his own paintings and drawings and more. Carlo also graduated Mass Art living in the Berkshires and is now the head of the finishing dept of NMINC. He is also a surface treatment specialist working very closely with Taj. Portraits are one of his specialty's along with painting and sculpting.
how do your creative endeavors differ from those of your sons? Nicholas: There are parts of fine art that I do not understand. Piles of rocks and whatever bore me. I think my younger boys have a better understanding of those mediums. Perhaps my craft gets in my way. I don’t consider myself an artist. I remember making a distinct decision one rainy night in Tribeca before it was Tribeca in Larry Poons loft. I was not willing to struggle and starve for my creations or to ‘bet on myself.’ That is why I choose to maximize my talents and capitalize on it. I am a strong believer in ‘follow your passion’ but that is in constant flux. Taj has recently decided to create and his rapid acceleration is amazing. He has become obsessed, such a pleasure to witness.
What have you learned personally and artistically from your sons? Nicholas: Time and patience. Contentment for an artist is a death sentence. The driving force in creating is the discontentment and all three live in that discontentment. ‘I like it but the next one will be better.’ Nice thought but... What are some of your most favorite projects you have worked on? Nicholas: I love both the restoration of masterpieces