Interview
Kata Zaraki
As an artist, Kata aims to explore all corners of the imagination, with the dark and twisted holding a special place in her heart.
Kata’s work is influenced by many cultures, but mostly Slavic and Asian. Her love for Japanese art and manga, as well as a hunger for reading sci-fi and fantasy nurtured Kata’s love for depicting people, and creating characters and worlds. Her fascination with everything dark, violent, macabre and disturbing paradoxically brings Kata a form of inner calmness and comfort, and she aims to evoke emotions in others.
Kata makes custom paintings, prints, illustrations, and music covers. She also does makeup for photo shoots and film sets, and creates tattoo designs and music. Kata has diversified, but drawing with graphite is her strongest and favorite creation medium.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I’ve always been fascinated with creation — art, stories, dance, music, or martial arts. I was under enormous stress as a child and always struggled with my mental health, but creativity and the mastery of my body both were a source of stability.
I started having problems with my eyes when I was about 5. I wasn’t able to watch a screen for extended periods of time, so I’d pass my days trying to draw. I’d draw portraits, using a small coin to draw a circle as the head. Thus, my love for art was born. I was enchanted by the idea of turning my imagination into something material.
I’ve had an international upbringing, and by the time I was 11 years, I’d moved to Switzerland, lived in Japan as an exchange student, and had been to China to study ancient culture and martial arts. I had the great privilege to be able to travel to many places, and experienced a whirlwind of cultures that enriched my vision beyond anything I could ever imagine.
I never completed a full art education, but my curiosity drove me to teach myself, absorbing knowledge and advice from any source I could find.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My work often has twisted and dark connotations, but not always. I’m just as fascinated by the beautiful and warm as the disturbing and terrifying. I find beauty in the unlikely, and I strive to utilize my art as a form of therapy for myself and anyone who is open to experience it.
I aim to evoke emotion in the observer, connecting to a part of them that resonates with my artistic creations.”
Which current art world trends are you following?
“Over these last few years, I’ve been extremely interested in the digital space that keeps evolving and bringing new mediums to artists. I was initially a traditional artist, but took up interest in digital art and haven’t stopped since.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“My work is almost entirely improvisation. When something inspires me, I sometimes try to plan and organize ideas in my head. But when it comes to turning the vision into an artwork, any plans I had go out the window.”
“I use my ability to create for myself. But most of all, I share it with others, acting as the medium through which they can express themselves.”
What process, materials, techniques, etc., do you use to create your artwork?
“I’ve spent many years doing traditional art using paper and pencil. This medium is my preferred option to this day as it has a very special place in my heart.
However, over the past two years, I’ve been focusing mostly on digital painting, as well as decorating clothing and accessories. I do this with unique handmade one-of-a-kind designs, using techniques that range from straight on painting on fabric, to bleaching out fine lines and creating paintings on it.
I mostly use graphite, acrylic, watercolor paint, Chinese ink, charcoal and my trusted tablet screen.
I also have a love for makeup artistry, and have had the pleasure to acquire experience on filming sets for decoration and makeup.”
What does your art mean to you?
“Art for me is something that is inseparably interwoven into our lives, cultures, and history. It affects us all just by being present in the same space with us. Simply experiencing art or participating in artistic expression can change the direction of a person’s life, or shape their vision, values and personality.
Personally, art is something I can never live without. It gives me drive, excitement, a sense of discovery, and gifts me an act of release for my inner world.”
What is your favorite artwork and why?
“My favorite artwork is LI II by H.R. Giger. This Swiss artist is my all-time icon, and the first ever to deeply move me with their work. He’s created a whole new dimension of art; his own world that fascinates and inspires many to this day. I’ve visited Gruyere, his birth town many times, and every time I get the same feeling of discovery and intrigue I had the very first time.
He has a dark style of merging and mixing flesh, twisted ideas, technology, violence and sexuality. The masterfully placed elements make you wonder if you’re looking at a depiction of a huge otherworldly landscape or an extremely detailed closeup. The uneasy feeling and the unusual car spray painting technique he used to create ethereal artworks all calls to me.”
