Konsta’s inspiration- his dog

Em: Where were you raised and did your surroundings influence your art work?

I was raised in Helsinki, Finland. I grew up in the suburb and my dad always took my family to art openings. He’s a graphic designer and I guess growing up seeing a lot of art influenced me. Eventhough I wasn’t too interested in art at a young age, I eventually started drawing-it was pretty late, maybe, 19 or so. After that, there was no stopping me…

EM: Your drawings have a childlike, playful disposition, but seem to have an undertone. Are there any messages or statements you are trying to illustrate through your pieces?

Not really, I draw stuff that I like such as animals. I particularily like dogs because I dig them more than people. For example, my dog who is always hanging with me at the studio. When I draw, I can make whatever I want, usually some kind of dream-like fantasy world. Speaking of which, I dream a lot. Sometimes, I draw to rid my mind of bad things so I can feel good and happy. If  I don’t work, I get depressed and spend too much time in the bar. If I work hard, I get a euphoria- like a natural high.

EM: Your work sort of mirrors Salvador Dali. Are there any artists that influence you?

Yes, there are loads of artists that I like very much- Misaki Kawai, Timo Vaittinen, Gary Panter, Paper rad, Folkert De Jong, Anssi Kasitonni, KutiKuti, Janne Martola, and Samu Nyholm. Also, people that I have asked to contribute to my magazine Adios (which I am making into a special edition book Adios III). I also get inspired by graffiti artists like CAP crew and Germes crew who are pretty good right now. There are really so many influential artists out there right now.

EM: What medium do you work with?

Right now I work with pencil and sometimes, I work with markers. Next week,  I am going to fly to Finland to make a sculpture for a group exhibition in Helsinki. I am going to make it out of Styrofoam because it is easy to work with and it gives an illusion that it is from outer space. I have also been taking photographs lately.

EM: I read that you have worked for several publications, advertising companies, projects etc? Please explain a specific experience and the high and lows of working in that particular forum.

I may work on graphic design projects to get money for my other projects-like the book that I am making right now. And I usually work with a skate shop, Ponkes because they give me the freedom to do whatever I want. On the other hand, I have worked with some bigger clients like Nokiaand have received big money for it. But I am not going to work with companies like that anymore because they interfere with my work so much that it becomes someone else’s vision. I do not want to create illustrations that I can not stand behind.

EM: On another note, what music or artists are you feeling at the moment?

As a child, I wanted to be a hip hop DJ so I will forever appreciate old-school hip hop artists like DJ Quik, Funkdoobiest, Kam, Kool Keith, Mac Mall, Mac Dre, Lootpack, and Wu Tang. I also like punk- maybe, it is the energy, but some of those artists including the Dead Kennedys, U.K. Subs, and Minor Threat really get me amped. Oh, and I love old electro like Egyptian Lover, as well as Finnish Skweee and folk which I listen to a lot. I wish I made enough money to purchase a lot of music.

EM: Lastly, what is your current bedside read?

Google maps- a Berlin guide and a book from a friend Toby Litt, but I don’t remember the title of the book [hmm...], but it is damn funny.

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Interested in learning more about Konsta and his work, go here.

via Sarah Wolfson, 5 November 2009 8:30am | |