Interview with Martin Severinson
I´m a multidisciplinary artist, teacher, writer, and philosopher. I´ve been exhibited in the Nordic countries since the early '90s, but also in Europe and New York. I´m living in Sweden with my family and have my studio based in my home.
Could you please introduce yourself and tell us how you started in the arts? and your first experience in art making?
I´ve been into doing "art stuff" since I was really young. Like many other kids, I was into all kinds of creative expressions, but around 10 I decided that I wanted to get really good. Since then I´ve been working targeted for new challenges on a daily basis. When I was 14 I took my first art class. That was an eyeopener in the way we worked with oil colors and nude models. That really taught me to see light and colors. I made my debut at 22 at an art salon and from there I knew art was my thing. At the same time, I started to study philosophy and had aesthetics as my main topic. After two and a half years in that environment, my understanding of art really widened. From there on I felt prepared to move on to art-making in a broader and deeper sense.
How would you describe yourself and your artwork?
I´m kind of focused in periods of intense work. I usually work in periods of 3 - 4 months with an area of work. Because I work multidisciplinary it can vary from painting, photography, graphics, textiles or more idea-based or conceptual work. I´ve figured out that I´m maximum engaged and dynamic for that time, before the "curve" of intensity drops. Then I move over to another focus. The sense of that is that I´m always curious and eager to explore. Another effect is that work in a discipline develops whilst other techniques and visions are activated. The paradox occurs - when ideas are left to rest they vitalize and develop instead of becoming exhausted and dull. The key method is to come back to the project left for some rest to connect at another point than it was left.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I more or less exclusively get my inspiration from where I am at the moment. It has been about being a parent, questioning masculinity and exploring feministic ideas, but also more poetic reflections concerning aging and beauty. I don´t need to go anywhere to find the subject of work, the question is stated on the importance of the question for the moment. And there are so many.
What emotions do you hope the viewers experience when looking at your art?
That´s a tricky question. On one hand, the beholder owns their interpretation. I´ve had people come into a gallery and fall into tears of being touched by my work. At the same exhibition visitors has got angry and rejected the work as pure nonsense. But of course, I have an ”intended hope of response”. Depending on what focus I´m exposing I hope that the expression opens up for the beholder to work with the piece. I love it when my art invites to a ”co-creation”, some kind of state where the artwork continues to develop and live through the interpretation. When someone connects to what I do I feel that the mission is accomplished.
When do you know that an artwork is finished?
Work is finished at different times. Especially when I work with paintings it´s common for me that I´m finished several times. It’s like the artwork after a while is calling for me and wants to move on. Looking back on some work I see that early states of being finished was a time that I needed to reflect and feel some more. Sometimes I didn´t have the guts to move on or just didn´t know how to move on. As life moves on, ideas move on.
What has been the most exciting moment in your art career so far?
I think it was that time that a young couple came into the opening of a show some years ago with a newborn baby in their arms. The father, who held the child, came up to me and said;
- ”She was a bit anxious before the birth...” (referring to his wife)
- ”Aha, I can understand that.” I said.
The father continued;
- ”…she really didn´t want to miss the opening of your show.”
They bought two paintings. For me, that was pure bliss.
How long does it take to produce one work?
It differs a lot. Paintings can take from 3-4 months to 5-8 years to complete, depending on pace and questions of being ”finished”. My oldest ongoing painting is now in its 25th year. A lot of pieces seem to ”cling on” to each other and create lines over time, defining bigger entities of work.
What exciting projects are you working on right now?
I just did a ”comic album” this summer, which was kind of unexpected, and has since then been occupied with painting and ink drawing. Last fall I made a short movie with a friend that we got into some short movie festivals. Maybe it´s time for a sequel?
Do you have any upcoming events or exhibitions we should know about?
At the moment I´m re-thinking strategies for exposure and next move forward. I focus on doing some vivid work and stay true to my creative self. After many years of producing art and participating in shows, it has become more important to do things I really want to do. If it will be an exhibition, an artbook, short movie or some photo stills depends on where I find myself concerned with a genuine interest.
Email: martinseverinson@gmail.com
Website: www.martinseverinson.se
Instagram: @martinseverinson
Facebook: Martin Severinson
