#krisklein

Name: Kris Klein

Location: Umina

Artwork name:  ‘Untitled’  |   Oil and Acrylic on timber

Description: This is a further exploration on a study done quite a few years ago. The image came to me in its entirety and was produced almost as quickly. It combines the beauty of line and shape of the female form with the lines of the sea. Exploring woman as ocean and vice versa, with strength and power but also subtlety and softness. Water as life and the giver of life and some pretty colours thrown in. Reasoning of becoming part: What drew me to ‘From the ground up’ was the opportunity to exhibit and work with other amazingly talented artists whilst being enabled to effect change through the production of art by raising money and awareness for a population who is largely overlooked by wider society. I believe it is important to start the conversation to ensure there is an understanding of the situation and needs of the homeless, to understand the human behind the label and to use art to bridge the gap is a great opportunity.

  Brief story how you became an artist: I have been creative since childhood, painting and drawing, but only started pursuing it seriously in the past couple of years. I have been working in the film industry for several years however I find there is a control and creative freedom in the production of artworks that I can't get working collaboratively on a film set and art has therefore become something of a meditation for me. I have been lucky to have been noticed by several people who have given guidance, which has lead to exhibitions and sales. I am looking forward to seeing where this ride will take me in the future.

  Describe your style: My style changes dependant upon the inspiration and projects I am working on. Primarily surrealistic, I have worked with a combination of ever-changing elements exploring the dream and subconscious thoughts and imagery through the use of colour and shape. In recent years I have begun experimenting in mixed media and have begun incorporating more realistic graphic elements. My work is always heavily influenced by music with colour and style being a depiction of the emotive and visual response to the music. I am yet to associate with a single style easily recognisable as my own and I'm not sure I ever will. My nature dictates that I will become bored with the old and always try something new however things work in cycles so I may develop something of a style yet.

  Influences: The Surrealist’s, James Gleeson, Andre Bretton, Dali, Tanguy. Brett Whiteley, Picaso, Daniel O’toole (EARS), BENNETT. Alex Kopps. Street Art, Music has a major influence over my work with Tori Amos, NIN, Tool & The Doors playing a part in one way or another. Also nature and the ocean primarily, cities, travel, new cultures, dreams. Things that make you question the limited way in which we see things, which make you question existence and look at things differently.  Anything interesting and out of the ordinary

Favourite music to work to: While painting some of my older pieces I always gravitated toward NIN or Tori Amos as I find they provoke imagery and enable me to maintain an air of calm for long periods. This is useful in the production of larger pieces as they enable me to recapture a mood in order to finish a piece. I have been revisiting them during the production for a new series however I listen to music that suits each individual piece. 

If I am working on photography or video projects I will listen to anything from Jazz to Rap and Hip Hop or more mellow, triple J music, for lack of a better description. Some of my more graphic work is the same in that respect. Music often evokes imagery for me so whatever I see when I hear a song will remain linked and that music and will be on repeat until I finish the piece.

Sometimes silence is the best music also, in the middle of the night when the world is asleep and there are no distractions. That can be when your work gets its biggest voice.

  Favourite quote: 'And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.' Friedrich Nietzsche