Art News
Thomas Edetun
What is your medium?
I work with painting, I use watercolor, oil and acrylic.
What themes do you pursue?
The themes I work with are connected to what it is being a human and from the experiences in my life. I sometimes try to put some humor in my work.
How many years as an artist?
Almost 30 years.
Sketchbook? Do you use one? What type?
I don´t use any sketchbook, since I sketch directly on the canvas or the board when I paint.
Most important tool you use?
The most important tool I use is the brush which is connected to my hand , arm, eyes and brain.
Where is your studio?
My studio is in my hometown, in an industrial environment.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
The question: Why not do it the other way around? and What is this painting good for, why do you make it?
Process> Concept or Process<Concept?
The process is more important than the concept for me, the act of painting always come first. If the painting is not any good in terms of use of color, no concept in the whole world can help. Just work with the painting the concept will come by itself.
Why do you make art?
To make art is a meaningful and important thing in my life, it´s a way to think and survive in this world.
Art school or self-taught?
Art school, and after that continuing knowledge from other artists.
Favorite font?
Old English.
Tattoos?
I like tattoos on other people. The art of tattoo is fascinating, but maybe it´s been overexposed nowadays. It´s not so dangerous anymore.
Day job?
I work at an art museum as a curator for public art and as museum technician.
Greatest achievement?
As an artist it must be my exhibition in New York 2007, it was a fantastic experience. It´s the high point in my life so far.
Would you rather be able to make a living as an artist now or become famous after you die?
I would like to make a living now, what happens after when I am dead is not important to me.
Prefer to work with music or in silence?
I nearly always listen to music when I work, classical music or rock. Music is important for me both to listen to in my studio and at home.Since I have tinnitus I don´t like silence.
iTunes, spotify, records?
All of it. I have been a music collector since the age of 11. Some years ago I sold all of my vinyl records, I don´t regret it. Now I would like to have all my music stored on a hard drive.
What could you not do without?
My bag where I have my earphones and other things I like to bring with me.
If you couldn’t be an artist, what would you do?
I would like to conduct classical music, maybe in the next life, If there is any.
Would you rather see your art on a t-shirt or on a billboard?
My art have already been on a t-shirt so a billboard would be fine with me.
Religion or pop culture?
Both is interesting but since I don´t believe in any religion maybe pop culture is the thing for me.
Traditional or conceptual?
I must say traditional since all new things come from tradition.
What do you collect?
I collect art books, pictures of any kind, or anything else for that matter. It all depends on my financial situation and what my wife thinks (limited space).
Favorite contemporary artist?
John Currin.
A piece of art you love?
“The Doge Leonardo Loredan” painted by Giovanni Bellini.
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
A really good one by Diego Velázquez, Paolo Uccello, Piero Della Francesca or Sandro Botticelli.
Which living or dead artist would you most like to meet?
Diego Velázquez.
Oil or acrylic?
I use both acrylic and oil.
Figurative or abstract?
My work is figurative with abstract additions.
Photo references?
I sometimes use photographic materials, but painting always come first.
Is painting dead?
Painting is not dead, it just needs to be reborn again and again.
Palette Knife?
I use it as a tool removing paint not for painting with, the only one that could paint with palette knife was Courbet.
Painting Inside or Outside?
I mostly paint in my studio, but it would be nice to paint landscape outside, standing in front of the real thing.
Monet or Manet?
Monet, for his use of colour.
Favorite contemporary artist?
John Currin.
A piece of art you love?
“The Doge Leonardo Loredan” painted by Giovanni Bellini.
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
A really good one by Diego Velázquez, Paolo Uccello, Piero Della Francesca or Sandro Botticelli.
Which living or dead artist would you most like to meet?
Diego Velázquez.
