Ola's tiny little abstract collages are unique and I am definitely intrigued by them. I find it difficult to work small—I know that ATCs are popular with collage—and I admire his patience and attention to detail. He mentions his work looking a bit like gems and minerals, which is close to my heart (I used to collect them as a kid!)
Name (Real or Screename): Ola Wikström
URL (Blog, Website): http://www.intressant.nu/portfolio (my portfolio), http://jagvilltillaruba.blogspot.com (blog, in swedish)
Location (Where are you from?): Stenhamra, Sweden
Q: Describe your work in 10 words or less.
A: Using old magazines cut up in 1x1cm pieces, I create.
Q: What do you like to work with (magazines, photographs, vintage)? Be specific!
A: I prefer magazines, but have lately started looking at books with large photos, due to the better quality in paper and print. Basically, anything that is glossy paper, thin and with a lovely texture, pattern or colour.
Q: How long have you been creating collages and what made you start?
A: I have been doing collages for as long as I can remember but I've been using this technique since 2002. Looking back on what made me start doing these I think it came gradually, my collages, like my photography, kept getting more and more abstract, and finally I got the idea of only using 1x1cm squares, and haven't turned back since.
Q: Are you solely an artist, or do you work in another profession?
A: For now, I work in another profession, as an executive producer at a digital interactive/motion design/production company. But the aim is to be able to live off what I'm creating. But that has to take whatever time it needs, I don't want to rush things by making art that for the purpose of rushing things, it's more important for me to create than to sell and live off it.
Q: Do you have any formal art training?
A: I've studied and worked as a photographer. I have a love/hate relationship with photography, but when it comes to my collages it's all love.
A: As mentioned above, I only do the one technique these days. What I love about it is that the artworks become eternal, I could look at them for years and still find new patterns and shapes, they look different depending on the distance your watching them from, and I've always thought/felt that they look a bit like gems and minerals. And I love gems and minerals.
Q: Describe your favourite piece ever created.
A: Wow, that is really hard to say, but my current favourite is #114 (America) which is the 2nd larger piece I made for my upcoming exhibition. It's my favourite mainly because it turned out exactly as a planned it and it was my favourite from the moment I got the idea to make it.
Q: What other artists do you admire?
A: Peder Duke, Mark Rothko and Diem Chau.
Thanks Ola!
Comments (5)
This is amazing. I have been cutting out 1 inch squares from magazines for a while now, with the idea of developing some collages. Fascinating that someone is already doing something like this! Thanks for the posting,
Karla
Posted by Karla | October 8, 2009 2:43 AM
Posted on October 8, 2009 02:43
such patience...such bliss
Posted by RedorGrayArt | October 8, 2009 9:17 AM
Posted on October 8, 2009 09:17
I teach 2D design, and have been giving this exact idea as an assignment for several years. Students always complain about it, saying it's too hard working with small squares and that it limits their creativity. This work is proof that creativity is by no means limited when restricted to collaging with small squares.
Posted by Tyler | October 8, 2009 12:02 PM
Posted on October 8, 2009 12:02
These are great - paper mosaics, or paper patchwork.
Posted by mjb | October 8, 2009 3:50 PM
Posted on October 8, 2009 15:50
Someone after my own heart! I love doing my collages this way but I do use mixed media with them. Kudos!
Posted by deb | October 11, 2009 8:15 PM
Posted on October 11, 2009 20:15