Photo credits: Fethi Sahraoui
How important are artistic role models to you?
I believe it is relevant for artists to be familiar with art history and contemporary art discourse in order to build upon it directly or indirectly.
Who or what has most influenced your artistic style?
My academic art studies and my belief in my intuition.
What is the most flattering thing someone has said about your artwork?
It makes me happy when my work evokes feelings in the recipients and thereby encourages reflection on the work, but also on their own lived reality.
Photo credits: Ulrike Sommer What would be the ideal location for one of your artworks?
My artistic transformations were able to unfold fantastically in the Konstanz spaces of the Lachenmann Gallery. The interplay of the architecture, the curation, and the small and very large works on paper was a perfect match.
For me, the Palais de Tokyo in Paris and MoMA PS1 in New York are exemplary examples of innovation and diversity. Therefore, I would be delighted if the current evolving projects were to play a role in such a context and return to their places of origin (Paris and New York).
The museum as a professional place of conservation is relevant to my work, as I work with fragile material.
Do you listen to music while you work? If so, what influence does it have on your work?
When I'm developing concepts and making decisions, it has to be absolutely silent. Music and podcasts are only allowed during the execution phases.
I'd also like to know what influence music has on my work. Perhaps that would be a topic for an art historical analysis by an outsider?
Photo credits: Ulrike Sommer
What profession would you pursue if you weren't an artist?
Archaeologist.
What should never be missing from your refrigerator?
Food and milk for my children.
Do you have any strange habits?
My daughters could tell you a lot about that.
Which person, dead or alive, would you like to talk to, and about what?
Trump and Putin on world events and its history.
Yilmaz Dziewior on the Schultze Projects at the Museum Ludwig, Cologne
Christoph May on critical men's studies.
What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of being a professional artist?
The euphoria of the practical work process and the successful communication with people inspire and compensate for the office work, which makes up a large part of the profession of the self-employed artist.
Describe your artwork "Moulting 203- SABA" in three words.
Key work - image of man - subtraction.
Photo credits: Ulrike Sommer
Where do you get the strength to keep creating new art?
Being deeply in touch with oneself and creating gives strength.
In your opinion, is art important for society, and if so, why?
I think that making art or engaging in creative work leads to a more balanced society. If everyone worked creatively for two days a week, it would be a factor in achieving greater peace in the world.
What role and significance do viewers play in the context of your art? How important are they to your art and why?
In my performance “Footwashing and WishMaking – Thoughts on loneliness”, the viewer is part of the work; without them, there is no performance.
In my two-dimensional works, the person plays a rather passive role. The works exist even without them; however, every artwork or similar piece needs a counterpart to be brought to life.
What question would you have liked us to ask you?
Which restaurant would you like us to go to together to discuss these questions and start a dialogue?
