Interview
Tina Psoinos
Tina is a multidisciplinary artist and fine art photographer. Her extensive body of work showcases an alternative view of the world she sees, one that blurs the borders of reality and imagination.
Intrigued by the ephemeral, ever-changing nature of the street art scene, Psoinos creates pop art using mixed traditional and street art techniques with urban art aesthetics, while sneaking in personal references.
Her portfolio includes a number of ongoing series that range from minimal to very complex imagery. Her works explore female rights, empowerment and equality through pop culture, as well as love through social media. Drawing on powerful imagery, she uses these concepts to also create and develop inspired site-specific installations.
Based in NYC, Psoinos has won numerous awards for her artistry. Her work is in private and public collections around the world.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born and raised in Athens, Greece, in a very creative family, with my paternal grandmother being a painter. I have studied Art, and Interior Design, and have attended college in New York, Paris and different parts of Italy. I call New York City my home.
Art was not merely a dream, but rather a necessity and way of life. In college, photography was a prerequisite for Computer Graphics, but for me, it was love at first sight, and what shaped the path for my art career. I had the privilege of studying with Master Photographer, Roy DeCarava, National Medal of Arts 2006. Roy believed in me and encouraged me to follow an art career. “Now that’s what I call art!”, Roy DeCarava’s words describing my work. I practice both art and design and I feel both of my practices complement and enhance each other.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“Through my work I recall memories, interpret dreams, and comment on current issues. Female empowerment, equality, climate crisis, and love in the 21st century are some recurring themes in my work. My intention is to start a conversation and let the viewer recall their own memories and make their own associations with the work and subject.”
Which current art world trends are you following?
“I am intrigued by the ephemeral, ever-changing nature of street art and the weathered street posters in my urban environment and aim to bring that into my work. I use stenciling, wheat pasting and layering of both paint and paper as a result of that.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“It depends on the project. Some works are carefully designed, while others are spontaneous improvisations that go with the flow. Either way, at some point during the process it all becomes chaotic before it is declared complete.”
“Now that’s what I call art!” — Master Photographer Roy DeCarava, National Medal of Arts 2006, describing Tina Psoinos’s work.
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“I use mixed media, collage and stenciling techniques to recreate that urban vibe of pop culture in a number of my pieces. As for my abstractions, I use mostly action painting and block color techniques with charcoal, oil and acrylics. One thing that never changes is the need for music as part of the creative process. While I am processing ideas, jotting and looking at existing materials, I play music until the perfect song comes along and sparks creativity. Then I play it in a loop until the specific piece is complete and start that process all over again.”
What does your art mean to you?
“It’s a way of being. The way I choose to express myself through color, shape and texture, and say what I have no words for. I can’t imagine life without it, can’t imagine doing anything else, and can’t imagine ever stopping to create.”
What is your favorite artwork and why?
"My favorite artwork is always the one I am working on next, the one I haven’t finished yet that still requires my attention. My works in progress are like intense love affairs, they have my full attention, I want to hold on to them, and then they are over and I am ready to part with them.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have a number of previous exhibitions that I am fond of, including two biennials in Berlin and Madrid. However, my first public exhibit at Rockefeller Plaza has to be my favorite one. We were called to create NYC inspired artwork for the flags around the plaza. My work was raised on a flag there among some of my favorite artists such as the iconic Jeff Koons, KAWS and Marina Abramovic.”
