ABOUT ERIK KUCERA

“Life, Art, Music, Film.. all these things move me to create new art. Looking at nature or listening to beautiful music are also the muses which help me to create.

It is in me, if i want to or not, it must come out through the surface. I cannot and will not imagine my life without Art.

Art lives around me, comforts me and draws me in towards new and more works to create. I am dreamer, I confess, but there is a reality portion of my life as well.

Regarding my Art, it comes from so many places, dreams, experiences, real life; each piece has its own path and origin from beginning to end.”

A JACK INTERVIEW WITH ERIK KUCERA

What was your first experience with art?

I believe my first experience with art was in the living room at my grandmother?s house when i was about 5. On the wall there was a oil painting on canvas with a ship, some sort of sailboat, there was the open sea and light from the moon shining. I will never forget this picture, it was always so fascinating for me. I don?t know who the painter was. I think it was just this view in the unknown which made it so unforgetable for me.

What is your favorite medium & why?

Was ist dein lieblings medium und wieso? To draw i prefer paper, there are so many possibilities and it is so easy. I also love to work with metal (it might be the goldsmith training), especially in combination with natural materials and recycled items, whatever i find. When i do work with metals to create jewelry, then i prefer to work with Gold, Silver and Copper. It is so wonderful to work with these metals and when i combine them with other matierals i can produce wonderful treasures.

What style are you most drawn to? Does it ever change & if so, why?

My favorite type of art has always been something akin to surrealism and the brighter the colors the better. I can appreciate the beauty in anything that I am drawn to, whether it be an oil painting, a finely cut Italian suit, or the shape on an Aston martin.

Have you always been an artist or is this a career change?

I have always been an artist. I started off as a trained goldsmith and jewler. I took a break for a while and then decided that art would always be my true calling. Although I have not yet rebuilt my workshop I have gone back to one of my first loves which is drawing. As of late I have begun 3d design and sculpture. This also me to bring in many elements of what I learned as a goldsmith and jeweler, but use it in new ways with many other materials as well.

Have you ever taken classes/courses?

Yes, I studied and was trained as a goldsmith and jeweler. What I do as an artist now has much of its roots in what I learned. Even my sketches and 3dimensional perspectives come from my education.

What do you want your art to accomplish or describe?

Was willst du erreichen druch dein Kunst, oder was willst du beschrieben mit deinem Kunst? My goal with my art is to create something which the people enjoy looking at. I wish to create art where one can find a story inside, which has bright happy colors, art which one always wants to look at again and again. Many of my themes are circled around jewish belief and folklore as it speaks to me and my interpretations of it. Often this includes elements of nature, math and the solar system. It is a wonderful feeling for me as an artist when I can experience my art through the emotions of the onlooker, the happiness, the tears, sometimes even surprise. That is for me the ultimate goal, to move people in this emotionelle way. What could be more rewarding?

Art programs are being cut all over the nation in schools - what's your opinion on this?

I think this is such a shame, because the young are those who are in a time of so much discovery. It is a time to learn about what is fun, what can be achieved, what are one's dreams and beliefs. A talent which is not supported does not have the chance to devlop as one which is. Actually it will bring about the opposite effect. It is incredibly irresponsible of us to take away from kids this chance to develop and discover their talents. Can you imagine if a child said they didn?t want to learn a second language, or math or science because they think they will never need it? Would we be so quick to diminish spending in these areas as well? Children are the future and it is our responsibility to support them and help them develop to their fullest.

Where is your favorite place to create?

I love to create in my studio in Vienna. I have a wonderful big window which I look out of and I can often see the squirrels frolicking! I love the peacefulness of my studio, just a big room that I can create in. Sometimes I use it as a lounge, with a sofa and a tv when I need to give my mind a rest. Soon however I hope to return to my studio in Florida. There is always so much sun and I will have enough space where I can build a new studio to create sculptures and work again on my jewelry.

Which comes first - the inspiration or the medium?

I cannot say it is always one way or the other. Often there is a good idea, but then I have to find the medium in which to create it. Sometimes I find something great and I decide I need to make something from it.

How has your work changed over time?

Over time my art has developed in many ways. I have taken more time to really work on it and I always keep trying something new. I hope to move again more away from paper and start creating 3D objects again such as jewelry and sculptures. I am always happy to continue developing as an artist and really see what will come next.

If somebody was standing in front of one of your works, is there anything you'd want to tell them?

I would be happy to observe someone looking at my art. Rather than tell them anything, I think I would prefer to ask them what they say, what the art says to them and then maybe compare my thoughts during its creation, with their observations.

Do you have a favorite piece you've done?

Caverns of time and Time for passover are my favorite pictures to date. I really feel that I have developed a lot since the beginning and these pieces really demonstrate that. I did have several pieces of jewelry, but most of them have been long sold.

Can you draw a perfect circle freehand?

No! But since my art reflects a sort of mathematical perfection, I rely heavily on my stencils to get the job done.