Interview

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“As the son of a teacher, I already had access to craft materials such as clay and wood quite as a toddler, and was therefore perhaps always the first test person for my mother when she had a new idea, what she wanted to teach the students. From crocheting to knitting, tinkering with paper, or even by working with waterbased clay, I was influenced very early. Likewise, much emphasis was placed on me having access to music as early as possible. So I had the privilege to enjoy the early musical education at the age of 4 years and the following I learned to play various musical instruments. Television and film were frowned upon at home, which only fueled my enthusiasm for this medium. Growing up near a U.S. military base, the American influence was not only felt through Hollywood and MTV, but existed right outside the front door - through German-American folk festivals and other cool occasions of American culture, it was basically always present. American films of the 80s and 90s have a storyteller style that is sometimes very theatrical, and this is reflected in my work as well. Very "over-the-top," as you would say. Then in my late teens I excessively caught up on everything I felt I had missed. I have never lost the passion for film since then, in fact it has grown more and more until finally in 2018 I was able to combine my two passions: Filming and staging my work.
I was alway a visual guy. That’s why it feels so hard to express myself in written form. Even in early childhood I had troubles make my surrounding understand my needs. That always drove me into doodling, filming, musical expressions and, as many do: collecting. We all express ourself visually whether it’s through clothing style or color choices we make, music we listen to, or brands we show off with. This is also called fandom. We express what style we prefer and make it our own. So in a sense we all are focusing on visuals. Long story short. Later in on, working as a content manager and product manager I primarily focused on visually expressing my ideas instead of writing thousands of words in emails to business partners or colleagues. That’s when I started actively engaging in photography and videography, sculpting came later on as well. And if you suddenly realize things turn out the way you wanted them to be with your visuals, then it motivates you to improve and improve.”

What inspires you?

“My muse are emotions, because they are all around us and everything may inspire me. Have you ever had a moment/situation where you were completely in awe? That’s the moment that sparks it for me. Out of that the first images in my head, the first doodles, the first drafts, and then things cascade upwards until I must dissect it into pieces that are doable and tell a cohesive story - at least in my head.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“I mainly deal with current issues, such as how the influence of large corporations, media and advertising affects our perception of current world political events. Of course, I would never say that directly, because that's the exciting thing about art: it's supposed to make you think. Everybody interprets something different in my sculptures and short films. There are two possibilities of development: either my intention and the viewers' interpretations coincide (at least partially), or they go in completely different directions.”

“My muse are emotions, because they are all around us and everything may inspire me.”

How would you describe your work?

““Everybody sculpts. I just happen to do it with my bare hands.” That sums it up. I prefer doing things the hard way, by hand, manually and slowly to emphasize the humanity in art. Creating with your hands still has value.”

Which artists influence you most?

“I don’t have any favorite sculptors as a matter of fact. Simply because the thought never occurred to me, but I do have some favorite visual artists like film director Zack Snyder and comic book writer Frank Miller. Their cinematic and literary mastery of the dark elements is just amazing. I also like the colorful and witty works of Jamie Hewlett and Alan Martin. Their works had a huge influence on me especially the dystopian and humoristic approach.”

What is your creative process like?

“Modeling is like filming, both tell a story and are first and foremost a craft. What I think is often completely underestimated is the fact that a work, whether it is a piece of music, a sculpture, a poem, or film, is hard work. Starting with the idea, through the conception and planning, to the technical realization and finally the presentation - these are all full-fledged professions that all have to be worked out by one person. This makes it all the more important to put all this energy only into projects that have a high personal value. Doing almost everything at a scale of 1:2, meaning half human size, is something you don’t see that much around, especially not with polymer clay. I mean, it is such a huge challenge to find ways just to develop a secure and stable baking process at this scale. Before everything else, I see a film in my head. Literally. With all the lighting, mood, and a soundtrack. The result is not just a sculpture, it is a short visual story. And therefore, I focus and collaborate with unique musicians to tell that story.”