Interview
Steve Soszynski
Steve was born in 1950 in Yonkers, N.Y., USA. Steve now resides in Hudson, NY along with Charlotte, his near 13- year old mixed rescue companion doggie. He is is now 73. He began drawing very early. In 1979 after studying at The New York School of Holography, he began producing his own and other artist’s holograms at a time when holography was in its infancy. He developed a process that would change ‘reflection holograms’ from mostly shades of green to near actual color, or red and violet and even clear. He was approached by Hart Perry & Bill Moltini to work at The Holographic Film Company in NYC as a Master Holographer producing original pieces suitable for making copies. He was invited to participate in a show at the Museum of Holography in NYC alongside Salvator Dali, Dennis Gabor, Rudy Berkhout, Hart Perry, Bill Moltini and others. While working with HFC, he produced holograms for other artists among whom were Salvador Dali, Blondie and many more. During this time became good friends with Deborah Harry & Chris Stein of Blondie. HFC was hired and provided holograms for their hit song ‘The Tide Is High’ music video (copyright @ Holographic Film Corp).
A close friendship with renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquait developed. Steve had the opportunity to be in a film with him about the music and art scene in NYC called “Downtown ’81.” Through the years, he continued painting works of varied styles, mostly abstract, figurative surrealism, showing and selling as the result of shows, visits to his studio or to private collectors.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“Where do I begin? Well, I started in my high chair as an infant. Mom said I was making circles and shapes in my pablum and adding small dallops of jelly randomly forming a sort of abstract patterns. She also said that later, I went through crayons like we owned the Crayola company. I have never stopped creating ever since. I was always pulled out of class from third grade on to help paint and create scenery for school plays which served me well as an adult, as I worked as a scenic carpenter and artist. I have participated in many shows and have had many sales. As from the beginning, I have had an intense fascination with all things 3-D, as most of my work utilizes dimensional aspects. This fascination led to me training as a Master Holographer working at HFC (the Holographic Film Company),based in SOHO NYC with Hart Perry, Bill Moltini and others. I attended SUNY New Paltz, NY mostly to take in life drawing classes, drew tons of heads and hands. I never finished, moved out of crashing in the dorms into a homemade tee-pee in nearby woods with two friends and kept painting. So, my creative journey continues prolifically, constantly pushing myself deeper in each piece as I strive to be in a semi meditative mind state to separate my ego from the work letting it explode more easily and organically.”
What inspires you?
“Just about every single thing inspires me, it is almost a curse, but I embrace it as a blessing, amorphous shapes, undersea otherworldly forms, outer and inner space, just about everything screams art to me. Also as crazy as it sounds, I feel my now long deceased artist heroes, pushing me from the great beyond. My wife Theresa (Terry),was my muse, my biggest supporter and best critic until after 45 years of marriage she so sadly passed away in my arms on August 14th, 2022 .A horribly deep loss. I feel her presence always near as she reveals herself to me in light and shadow and is still gently leading me on to even more intense creative realms.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I am not a fan of speaking of art as somehow imagining the angst of man or attaching deep meaning but am now exploring social and environmental themes. Painting with snow as a medium allows me to let Mother Nature finish those works after I finish my part. It is a fascinating process and have sold nearly every "snow" painting I have produced. Also years ago I developed a passion for repurposing packing materials mostly unrecyclable material, styrofoam, corrugated fiber, various plastics into my work. Things like you might find packed around a coffee maker, vacuum cleaner, toaster or about anything that forms around the object. Friends even save these very unusual and wonderfully shaped materials. Now adding, yes, woke social statements on some. However. I just am obsessed with constantly flowing ideas as I am 73 now and feel mortality acutely more as Terry is already there. A buddhist friend, Robert Thurman (Uma's father) called my work “Tulpa,” a buddhist term that in part means looking at something not of this Earth but somehow instantly recognizable.”
“Just about every single thing inspires me, it is almost a curse, but I embrace it as a blessing.”
How would you describe your work?
“It has always been an issue for me. However, itis mostly surreal, figurative, alive, organic, not AI generated, low in fat, high in fibre, easily digestible with no artificial ingredients or preservatives and with no expiration date. Hopefully engaging and fun to look at.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Chagall, El Greco, Kandinsky and Jean Michel Basquiat, who was a dear friend.”
What is your creative process like?
“I begin each piece in a semi meditative mind hoping to tap deeply into the idea. I then explore all floating forms that appear utilizing intuition in placing them. Color is my mojo, even people who do not grasp my intentions have always commented on my use of color. Always keeping in mind when a piece is actually finished. Simply put, it is free flowing.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Art is for everyone, whatever their taste is. Art can elicit strong emotions or gentle feelings of contentment. An artist friend says, "without art we are but monkey's with car keys," may be some nugget of truth to that, but I also believe animals are capable of artistic expression, also art opens up doors of perception that never fully close again perhaps helping some to emote empathy and compassion and understanding. All kind of high minded aspirations but at the least eliciting smiles and good vibes.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I was included in a wonderful show at The Museum of Holography alongside Salvadore Dali, Dennis Gabor, the father of holograhy,Rudi Berkhout and others as I pioneered full color reflection holograms. One 360 degree hologram I mastered from his idea and instruction has been on display at the Dali museum in St. Petersburg. I have also seen some others I mastered on display in Copenhagen, Denmark at the Hans Christian Anderson Museaum. I have had numerous gallery shows in New Orleans and New York.”
Website: stevessurrealreality.com
Instagram: @stevesoszynski
