What is it that attracts you the most of what you have around you?
I’m inspired by the human figure, its shape, actions, relationships as well as biological aspect of our existence. Also our relationships with animals are very interesting and useful in the search for art. I live in a big city and I love fast pace, rhythm and pulse of it. Old, neglected districts with their special, unexpected charm are also very inspiring for me.
Three adjectives to describe yourself.
hardworking, creative, adventurous
Tell about exhibition if you ‘ve had any.
My last exhibition was titled „Image documentation” (CPM, Museum of Czestochowa, PL), it was about my workshop (painter’s workshop), about the whole process of creation from the technical side.
Viewing a piece of art is composed of many factors - the categories of aesthetics and impression, as well as the stylistic and formal means applied in it. The life of a piece of art is comprised of everything that happens to it after it lands at the first exhibit or at the hands of the first client. Rarely however does the recipient pose a question about the beginning - about how a particular piece of art was actually made. How long did it take the artist to prepare for its creation? How do the materials used affect his or her health? And finally, how many completely ordinary tasks had to be fulfilled in order for the piece to exist in the first place?
The time-consuming creative process which is usually associated with the so-called creative inspiration is rarely talked about. For the artist however, the act of creation is something more - it is often a tedious process involving many lesser phases, which frequently combines relatively mundane, albeit necessary actions. In this context the myth of an artist living in Parnassus has nothing do with reality. Therefore this project assumes the revelation or the exposure of what is unavailable to the viewer, what is hidden behind the studio doors.
Do you sell your artworks? How do you make it and where can someone buy?
Yes, I sell my paintings through a few galleries as well as on my official website www.czeremuszkin.com. You can also find my works in the New Blood online Gallery from London, EC Gallery (USA), Strefa A Gallery (PL). Sometimes interior designers contact me when they need a painting for one of their customers' houses, other times they are art or people looking for something to fill an empty wall.
What was your most big success?
In my opinion my biggest sucess is simply to paint. A lot of people resign just after college, before they even get a chance to start the real adventure with art. I’m still on this certain path, I’m doing my best to be patient enough and hardworking , beside it beeing unstable, unexpected and sometimes hard. In 2011 I quit my full time job as a graphic designer, since then I’ve been a freelancer but I’m mostly focused on painting. I’m sure I’m on the right path, I hope to remain in a constant progress.
Favourite artist, photographer.
Helmut Newton, Teresa Pagowska, Robert Rauschenberg, Alina Szapocznikow.
A film, a book and a song
My favourite author is Tiziano Terzani and all non-fiction travel literature, I like also Zadie Smith and Michaelle Houellebecq. I don’t have my favourite song but I like The Knife and this type of music - experimental, sometimes neurotic or psychedelic. My favourite film – „Wadjda”.
Describe some of your works
My latest works are colorful, vibrant, large scale. They are still about humanity but human figure becomes more abstract, similar to very basic, organic forms. I’m using thick layers of paint, impasto effect, rough surfaces contrasting smooth ones. I like to paint on quite big canvases as a substitute of working on a wall (mural) which I do very rarely. I like when the painting overwhelms the viewer.
Your main concept.
My latest series of paintings - the MEAT&GEOMETRY constitutes of the result of observation and fascination with the biological processes as well as that, which is carnal, nonaesthetic, and common among all living organisms. The concept is based on the contrast between the organic and the technical. Because what is organic, even if beautiful, is generally perceived as bilious, nonaesthetic, and irritating. Living organisms: plants, animals, and finally the human - live, however they are subject to biological processes like rotting, decay. Following the period of growth or increased development comes the slow process of dying. The cycle comes full circle - nothing is permanent. I'm fascinated by the contrast between those two worlds, which are seemingly disjunctive yet existing so close to each other - biology and physicality against modernity, the city, and the cold spaces of industrial, post-factory halls or dehumanized interiors of office buildings.
Do you work as an artist, painter? what is your occupations besides artist.
I was a graphic designer for 3 years but now I’m focused solely on painting. I’m also the Resident Artist in Poland of the Fine Art Collective (community of 3 brands - Winsor and Newton, Liquitex, Conte a Paris) and due to to this fact I lead the guest workshops for students about technology of painting.
Which advice would you give someone who wants to become an artist?
Be true, work hard but be good to yourself. If you like people try to find ones similar to you - sometimes it’s easier to work in a group, when you motivate each other. Find a community, be with the people who inspire and motivate you, have similar aims. Try to be as close as you can to the art society in your town, go for openings, try to be visible, exhibit a lot. Watch exhibitions, art fairs, travel for inspiration, be risky and experimental and the most important - never stop to learn.
