Ai-Wen Kratz
Artist Statement
My works are influenced by nature, classical music, stage design and choreographic lines in ballet and modern dance. My search in the visual art is spirituality, intellectualism and aesthetics. I grew up in one of the high-rise buildings in Hong Kong, a city among the most populated in the world. The skyward expansion in architecture and the twenty-four-seven city activities had fostered my ability to be flexible, a dutiful sense of community wellness, and an appreciation for higher education. The self-made toys in childhood had enriched my imagination and aptitude for creativity. Here, I would like to share Richard Strauss’ viewpoint on composing music: “… the most important aspect a composer has to face is inspiration, for without it nothing of lasting value can be put on paper. A good composer must also be a skilled craftsman …. But no matter how clever the workmanship, no composition will live unless it is inspired.” (From an interview of Strauss conducted by Arthur M. Abell.) I am attracted to the romance of purity. The mere mention of Mahler’s composing huts has the power to drift me afar.
What’s your background?
I have been exposed to multicultural differences. I was born to the Asian culture and grew up with a heavy dose of teaching on Asian values. My father imposed practically the no-way-out emphasis on ethics, purity and modesty to his six children. Because of my father’s own work ethics and integrity, a Catholic Missionary in Hong Kong arranged a work-scholarship for my younger brother and myself for our respective college education in the U.S. College education, for me, was like a ‘miracle gro’ for a gardener’s yield. Among the choices of Mathematics, Biology and Art, I chose to be a painter. From a small little-known college in Spokane, WA, I was accepted, with a scholarship, to the nationally acclaimed Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan and graduated from its MFA program. For enrichment, I studied at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine and in the Drawing Marathon program at New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture, NYC, NY.
What does it mean to you to win the Collectors Art Prize?
Artists from all walks of life, trained or self-taught, are like sand grains along beaches and the 1000 thousand million stars in the Milky Way. When the honour of the “Collectors Art Prize” came for me, I knew that it was my luck, among the multitudes of sand grains, to have caught the light beam of a smiling moon. Privilege and luck could come with duties as well. I must work hard to be worthy of such blessings of luck.
What do you think is the role of art in the world today?
Firstly, the role of art in our life is like air and light to our existence. When there is no positive visual stimulations in our daily life, it would be like living in a cave without air. Applied art, like a soup can or the chairs we sit on, are potentially the daily visual arts around us. Each era brings along positive and negative aspects. To be able to benefit from the era at hand is to keep the negatives at bay and to make good use of the positives that are privileged to our time.
Art in the world today services heavily in commercialism and in social outcry. For example, the use of art imagery in contextual advertising to improve results and the use of mural and street paintings to protest injustices, like on the killing of George Floy in Minnesota and exhibitions around the country with themes from the Ukraine war. Like Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading The People”, through all ages, art could be used as political pronouncements.
Regardless the important roles which art has taken in social, context and physical functions, art in the world of our time has taken the greatest liberty in art for art’s sake. With the magical digital facilitators, the role of art in the world today is made to serve as a personal function.
What would it be if you could change one thing about the art world?
The one thing I would like it to be changed in the art world would be to dim the crave for ‘fad’ and fame. An artwork should be from the goodness of an inner soul.
What are your most significant professional achievements?
Through the years, I received awards for my works from time to time. The highest achievement I have attained as a painter is that I remain to be a practicing painter after a dutiful journey in parenthood and womanhood.
What do you wish to tell viewers about your work that might not come out explicitly?
“I am grateful that you have taken the time to look at my work. I am even more grateful if what you see and feel are different from what I intent to say (through my work), because together you and I have created new experiences to share. When we exchange our different feelings about the same painting, we would be enriched by our differences. Thank you for making a new version of my painting with your response.”
What do you hope to inspire with your artwork?
I hope my works carry the spirit of inventiveness and are void of vulgarity and fad. In my search, I aim at spirituality, intellectualism and aesthetics.
What advice would you give to the upcoming generation of artists?
--- Exposures are most valuable and in a variety would be ideal.
--- One of the advantages to be in an acclaimed art school is the activities and exposures it offers. One would be nurtured on a wide scope.
--- Keeping abreast with time.
--- In addition to the cool digital art, it would make one even greater to draw in pencils and crayons.
--- Give thoughts to each exhibition visited.
--- To familiarize with the artistry in other forms of fine arts; for Example, in music, vocal art, dance, opera, literature and more.
--- Build a broad concept, so not to yield to the temptation of fad.
In what direction would you like to see your career go in the next five years?
I should like to give thoughts to, instead of giving up on, all the mastery practices before the 18th century, how to use the interplay of colors and forms to express on my canvases today. For example, the topic on perspective should be my quest to begin with.
Country USA
Website www.aiwenwukratzartstudio.com
