Nhato Interview

1.What’s your background?

This line of artist interview questions shouldn’t simply be met with “I’m from ___. ” Instead, you should use this question as an opportunity to highlight those aspects of your cultural background that make you and your work unique, with bonus points if you can tie your life experiences to your artwork. Did your upbringing prompt a specific reference point within your work? Is your work informed by certain concepts or themes from your childhood, background, socio-economic status, where you lived or were raised? How does this impact how you see the world and create art? In addition, you’ll want to use this question to discuss your educational background and any experiences that may have contributed to your evolution as an artist.

2. What does your work aim to say?

Many artists would consider this a fairly loaded question.  The mere idea of putting into words what you’re obviously communicating visually is like dancing to architecture. The purpose of this question, however, is to assess how well you can articulate your artistic point of view, how aware you are of what audiences see in your work and what it provokes, and why you make art in the first place. After all, if you’re not trying to say anything about your work, then why are you making it?

The answer to this artist interview questions should be more introspective than simply what inspires you. Instead, you should frame your answer in a manner that explains why and how viewers should consider your work; how it forms a cohesive narrative that sparks a dialogue about your work. For example, perhaps you’re an artist working with recyclable materials because you’re inspired by their texture and pliability. In working with these materials, you’ve come to reflect quite a bit about waste and harmfulness, and these materials’ inherent role in the effects of global warming. Your work, therefore, comments on environmental issues through the use of recyclable materials.

3. How does your work comment on current social or political issues?

In framing your answer this artist interview questions, consider which materials or aspects of your work make a comment on current events or societal issues. Similar to the question above, it’s important to remember that some of the most revered artistic work always plays a deeper role in the transformation of societies. If you aren’t considering how your work relates to the current sociopolitical landscape, you are missing out on an important opportunity to join a broader conversation in the art world. If you’re not already considering how your work is addressing these themes, consider how you might deepen your practice to explore more substantial issues.

4. Who are your biggest influences?

Every artist has a handful of other artists they look to for inspiration and guidance. Is there a particular artist that inspired you to pursue art? Whose techniques do you study or admire? What genre does your work fall into? Abstract Expressionism? Conceptual Art? Realism? Make sure you address why you’re influenced by these artists or artistic movements. Avoid art speak – buzz words that sound smart, but ultimately provide no real insight into your work. Simpler sentences with fewer words are better than long ones. For example, “Donald Judd’s work opened the door for me to think about representing shapes and forms into their most essential components. By striping down the excess, my work enables the viewer to imagine what’s missing while also considering what is there. I like exploring that tension.”

Whatever the case may be, this inquiry allows patrons, collectors, and writers to better frame and categorize your work and connect you to the history of art. It’s important for them to be able to group you with your contemporaries and see how you fit within a larger dialogue in the art world.

5. How have you developed your career?

This artist interview question signals whether you can be taken seriously as an artist. Contrary to popular belief, ‘making it’ in the art world isn’t merely a game of luck. It requires a strategic and determined effort based on your vision, goals, and what success means to you. If you’re sitting down with a potential collector, curator or gallerist, they’ll want to know that you’ve been thinking about your career trajectory and are therefore worthy of investment.