Michael Kaphengst
Artist Statement
I can get into ‘manic states’ wanting too much at once and overdo it. Like a trance. Yet, I have found myself creating work which I never thought I could do.
Michael Kaphengst - "THE LINEARIST"
"While listening to music suddenly a thought might pop up for a picture, I may replay the music, a song or instrumental piece, repeatedly to see if anything else pops up (a feeling, an image, memories etc.) which I can use for a motif."
What is your background?
I come from a modest background, I spent my childhood in a children's home because my mother was a single parent, and I never met my father. There wasn't much money in the family, art was an outlet for me that helped me cope with these problems. When I paint, I am me.
As a teenager, shortly after the death of Salvador Dali, I saw a tribute on TV about his life and work, which fascinated me. Surrealism fascinated me, "psychic automatism", "representation of his subconscious", I could relate to that.
I decided to take lessons run by well-known artists in my region, to learn more. To this day I enjoy these lessons and I don’t stop learning.
An interesting background is that I spent my youth in a small village called Berumbur (in the north of Germany) and the street where we lived was called "Linewalk".
I wasn't aware of that at the time - it only became clear to me later when I started to develop linearism as I understand it. Possibly a representation of the subconscious?
What I have become more and more aware of is that I needed to find my own style, I wanted something that is typical for me. Not to be perfect, but to be original.
Through my experimental way of working, I came up with the idea of my linearism in various modes of representation.
What does it mean to you to win the Collectors Art Prize?
Of course, I feel very honoured and very happy about it.
The prize is a recognition of my work and shows that my linearism is becoming more and more widespread, not only in Germany but also abroad.
I hope that I will be able to reach even more people interested in my art and that it will be a good advertisement for me.
I believe the price will help me to get a bigger lobby, and that more people will become interested in my art, especially the collectors and museums.
What do you think is the role of art in the world today?
Art can make people think, Banksy is a great example, I believe his murals in the Ukraine War are brilliant statements of what it means to be human.
Art can’t change politics, but it can make statements, can have influence. Perhaps make people think or provoke?
If an artist happens to be famous, the more influential he/ she can be.
Art can also be simply beautiful; I can enjoy a beautiful painting and look at it for a long time or simply enjoy a beautiful song without it containing a message.
Maybe the viewers of my pictures will discover more than I thought they would, so I have already achieved a lot. If they discover more than I do and I can make them think, a lot has already been achieved.
What would it be if you could change one thing in the art world?
That's an interesting but also difficult question.
As a painter, it is very difficult to reach a wide audience. When a song is played in the many media we have nowadays, thousands of people listen. When my paintings are exhibited I never reach as many people. If I'm lucky, a few hundred people come to the gallery and see the exhibition, if I'm unlucky, only a few people.
I think the situation for visual artists has improved through digitalisation, we have the possibility to present our works digitally and thus probably reach more people than in a gallery. I recently was part of an exhibition which was presented in the underground stations in Madrid. I thought that was a great way of reaching a wider audience.
For me personally, I would like to have a gallery that takes over the management and takes care of the sales, that would help me a lot.
What are your most important professional achievements?
The fact that I have never given up and that I have not lost my courage, that is probably my personal success.
When I started organizing my first exhibitions, I always took care of the press. It was always important to me to make my art known to as many people as possible, and in this way, I was able to make a name for myself regionally.
Of course I am happy about the many awards I have received, they are a great recognition and I think I am on the right track.
But for me it is a great success that I have been able to publish so much during my artistic life, my name can now be found in art encyclopaedias all over the world. What I still need now are more buyers.
What do you want viewers to know about your work that may not be explicitly expressed? What do you hope to inspire with your art?
So, perhaps something like a hidden message. My most important message is "For me, the consumer world is not "POP" but a linear process. After all, our whole life is focused on consuming, and that leads to the most impossible (surreal) everyday situations. I'm already satisfied, if people look at my work and feel free to pass it on and discuss it.
What advice would you give to the next generation of artists?
A lot of stamina and enthusiasm, as an artist to become successful, that is hard work. You must invest a lot of energy, not every artist realises that. It can be frustrating. Success cannot be forced, there are always exceptions but that is not the rule. Be brave, stay humble, and when you have your own ideas, something you believe to be uniquely yours, something that expresses who you are, go with it. And never forget that it takes time and work.
In what direction would you like to see your career go in the next five years?
I think I have found an interesting perspective with my understanding of linearism; I would like to be included in more encyclopaedias and have more financial success.
I can't really say where I'll be in five years, so far, I believe with my "LINEARISM" I have already contributed to the art scene. To further develop my potential I need a patron, that would be my wish.
Country Germany
