An Interview With Adriean Koleric
Interviewer: Brandi Clark
BC: Tell us a little bit about what you do.
AK: I’m a Canadian Artist who’s focus these days is primarily in digital collage pieces.
BC: What was the worst critique/review/feedback you were ever given and how did it make you feel?
AK: It was a few years ago when I was primarily designing furniture. I had one of my pieces posted on a design site which was open for feedback. So the general response was positive except for one guy who courageously posted as ‘Anonymous’. He went off on how bad the design was and ended with the comment, “this is just fat and it’s ugly”. At first I was pretty bummed for the day, but soon got over it and realized that it was pointless to lose sleep over it. For me if the crit is constructive and has a point, I’m all good with that and appreciate the time that someone took to think over the piece. But this guy really had it out for me that day.
BC: How did that experience change or not change the way you feel/felt about your art?
AK: Funny enough it made me put more thought into my work and think about where I was coming from and where I was going with it. Plus i’d say it helped me develop a thicker skin when taking a crit. The fact that it creates some form of dialogue is a good thing because there’s nothing worse than being ignored. So whether it’s feedback from a seasoned pro or feedback from an insane person, it’s all gravy after the fact.
BC: What did you do about it?
AK: I just let it go and moved on. If the guy can’t post under his own name, what’s the point of responding?
BC: What makes a “good” collage?
AK: A couple of things for me. One is: I like a collage that entices the viewer to come up with their own narrative for the piece. The other is when it takes time to explore the work. You look at it one day, then revisit it later on and discover something new about it.
BC: What is your process?
AK: I usually have an idea in my head as to what I want as a narrative for the piece. I start with a character, then a setting and then add in supporting elements as I go. I’ve accumulated a stockpile of articles, clippings, magazines and photos that I’m able to sift through and use as needed. It’s just this organic process where I feel things out and just go with my gut. I don’t have an academic background to help me through the process, so I‘m relying on my instincts every time.
BC: Is there an advantage to your medium?
AK: I’m not a great painter. I’m OK, but not OK enough to put it out there for people to see. But with collage, in particular digital collage, it allows me to execute ideas and compositions that I would normally not be able to present. I actually taught myself to use Photoshop a little over a year ago, so my knowledge with the format is limited. But it gets me to where I want to go at the moment. For a while before that I was using Paintbrush, which, looking back on now, was pretty insane. I wasted a lot of time using that progam.
BC: Is there anything frustrating about your medium? What are the challenges?
AK: As I said, my knowledge of Photoshop is limited, so there are a few elements that I wanted to add but just didn’t know how to. I’m sure as I go I’ll figure things out, but for now I make due and am able to get across what I want to.
BC: Is there anything symbolic about the “man” recurring in your collages?
AK: B. Sherman or ‘blockhead’ as people have been calling him. The head is actually the first furniture piece I designed years ago. It was a simple one drawer unit that I initially called ‘Sherman’. It was always my favorite piece mainly because of how simple it was and how much of a visual impact it could provide in a proper setting. So when making the transition from design to collage, I wanted to hold on to an element from that phase in my creative process.
BC: Do you ever experience “artist’s block”? Do you believe in artist’s block?
AK: I’ll let you know when it hits.
BC: How do you know when you are finished a collage?
AK: Instinct. You just get to the point where the composition just works. I usually let something sit for a day when I think it’s done, then revisit it with fresh eyes the next morning. It’s amazing what a clear head will see.
BC: What’s currently on your bookshelf?
AK: I framed and put up a print I picked up from Dr.Lakra’s summer exhibit at Boston’s ICA. Man that was a great exhibit. So there’s that, a new piece from Muttpop, the new Kozik Tequila. Some other random vinyl toys, art mags, etc. I always like to surround myself with work’s from other Artists to keep things flowing.
BC: What would you like to say to the other underdogs out there?
AK: Have patience, take the hits along the way because they will come and just keep working your ass off. Eventually it’ll pay off in some fashion.
To see more of Adriean’s work go to:
