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Interview With Artist
Katerina Lanfranco
When looking at paintings I am drawn to the ones that strike me right away, and from there I can form relationships with the work that evolve and reveal more over time. This is how I encountered Katerina Lanfranco’s new work on view in her solo show Efflorescence at SCPS Gallery at Pratt Institute.
Exceptional paintings offer a viewing relationship that grows, changes, and develops over time - always giving the viewer something new to see and experience. The two series of works, Vision Quest and Platonic Solid Portraits suggest the artist’s deep reflection into the strong push-and-pull of the natural universe having its way with us.
The mid-sized Vision Quest paintings are rich in their material surface and clear display of artistic skill and ability. For instance, Prima Materia invites us to contemplate the beginning of existence and creation - white painted puffs radiate around a centrally structured configuration of four overlapping circles that convey both mathematical geometry and organic growth patterns. The larger 6x6’ Platonic Solid Portraits combine geometry with nature symbolism in a fluid layering of paint and cultural references that exude lyrical marks, whimsy, and abandon, but are deeply serious and contemplative at the same time. The total effect is a profound playfulness that dazzles and captivates the heart and mind.
Sculptural components include an interactive Crystal Void that invites viewers to write down and release their deepest wishes and fears, as well as three mixed-media Geopods that feel like they are from a different planet. Through cycles of color, diurnal rhythms, and seasonal changes, the exhibition reminds us that time is relentless and nature is sublime.
TNYO: Hello Katerina...Congratulations on your current solo show Efflorescence, at the SCPS Gallery at Pratt Manhattan Center. It’s great to see your work in a more intimate setting and to really be able to spend time looking closely at the paintings’ intricate compositions and ruminate on their deeper meanings. Mystic Geometry, is this the title of your current body of work and can you tell me why you chose this title?
Katerina: My work has always dealt with ideas around nature, science, and fantasy. I am drawn to artistic territory that borders on the ineffable - experiences that are often beyond words. The grandness of nature compels me to delve into its deep mysteries. I love the symmetrical balance and compositional harmony that occurs naturally, as well as mathematically derived structures. There is a type of magic in expressions of geometric beauty that can equally be man-made through mathematical equations and in structures found in nature. Radial symmetry structures are used by both Eastern and Western religions to express mystical spirituality, such as
in the case of mandalas, church stained glass window, dream catchers, labyrinths and so on.
TNYO: How did this idea come about?
Katerina: About 5 years ago, in conversation with my brother, we were talking about my interest in abstract geometry and narrative art, and we came to the conclusion that Mystic Geometry was a perfect way to harmonize both.
TNYO: Can you tell me how this work varies from your previous paintings?
Katerina: The large (platonic solid portraits/nature elements) paintings are similar to previous work in that they have a layered compositional space, and include several cultural, historical, and nature references. The smaller and mid-sized paintings actually relate quite a bit to my mixed media sculptures. In these new works, I wanted to bring the craft and physicality of the sculptures into the world of painting.
TNYO: Is there something you hope to achieve with these paintings and the message behind them?
Katerina: My work has always dealt with ideas around nature, science, and fantasy. I am drawn to artistic territory that borders on the ineffable - experiences that are often beyond words. The grandness of nature compels me to delve into its deep mysteries. I love the symmetrical balance and compositional harmony that occurs naturally, as well as mathematically derived structures. There is a type of magic in expressions of geometric beauty that can equally be man-made through mathematical equations and in structures found in nature. Radial symmetry structures are used by both Eastern and Western religions to express mystical spirituality, such as
in the case of mandalas, church stained glass window, dream catchers, labyrinths and so on.
TNYO: How did this idea come about?
Katerina: About 5 years ago, in conversation with my brother, we were talking about my interest in abstract geometry and narrative art, and we came to the conclusion that Mystic Geometry was a perfect way to harmonize both.
TNYO: Can you tell me how this work varies from your previous paintings?
Katerina: The large (platonic solid portraits/nature elements) paintings are similar to previous work in that they have a layered compositional space, and include several cultural, historical, and nature references. The smaller and mid-sized paintings actually relate quite a bit to my mixed media sculptures. In these new works, I wanted to bring the craft and physicality of the sculptures into the world of painting.
TNYO: Is there something you hope to achieve with these paintings and the message behind them?
Katerina: I make these paintings as meditations on the natural world that is complex and harmonious. I wanted to create a holistic view of the world, existence, and to present the potential grounding energies of these elements through these works. To recognize the cycle of life, death, and regeneration, to see beyond the present moment. I hope that people who see these paintings also open up to the grandness of life through nature.
TNYO: Where are you from?
Katerina: I was born in Canada, and raised in Berlin, Germany; Bangalore, India; and Toronto, Ontario.
TNYO: Did you know you would be an artist when you were a child? What was your childhood like?
Katerina: I knew that I was artistic as a child, but it was like breathing air - you recognize it, but then forget that you’re even doing it. I remember thinking that it was silly to study art because it was so easy. Sometimes I wish that I could think of art as easy again. As a child, I spent a lot of time outdoors, in gardens, playgrounds, and in Berlin we lived by the forest. I grew up camping on lakeside land, that my family owned. My parents were educators and taught me about everything from multiple perspectives, from seemingly every angle.
TNYO: What is your nationality? Are you first generation second generation….
Katerina: I am third generation American, though I identify with my German and Canadian roots. My mother was born in Berlin.
TNYO: What is your view on humanity and its relation to the universe?
Katerina: I think humans underestimate our relative significance to the universe. I find that it requires mental gymnastics that includes a mindfulness, acceptance of the sublime, and a surrender to anti-egocentricity.
TNYO: What is your view on men and women - the way they relate to each other and the world around them?
Katerina: I believe that culture dictates a gender dichotomy that curtails people’s freedom of expression and self-actualization. This division sometimes leads people to follow scripts that do not promote real harmony between men and women. I think accepting that all people are made up of both sets of gender characteristics - would make for better relationships (internal and external).
TNYO: Do you believe in god?
Katerina: I’m agnostic. I’m open-minded and believe in timely connections and poetic timing.
TNYO: Do you think he or she or it or they are present in our daily lives and have a hand in the way the universe works.
Katerina: I’ve had a handful of near-death experiences. It is hard not to think that I was somehow protected in surviving each experience. I also believe that we have narrative structures to make sense of things that we don’t understand and that this sense of being protected might be part of that.
TNYO: Do you believe in good and evil, and if so how do these energy’s play out in our daily lives? Is there a predilection to who is good and who is evil, and how one becomes either or?
Katerina: I believe that we all hold the seeds of both good and evil capacities as humans. However, each incremental choice (like the butterfly effect) brings you closer to one end of the spectrum of the other. I believe that we constantly make choices to do things correctly and honestly. There is a difference between what is right for the individual, and what is right for the greater good - sometimes they match up and sometimes they don’t.
TNYO: Where are you from?
Katerina: I was born in Canada, and raised in Berlin, Germany; Bangalore, India; and Toronto, Ontario.
TNYO: Did you know you would be an artist when you were a child? What was your childhood like?
Katerina: I knew that I was artistic as a child, but it was like breathing air - you recognize it, but then forget that you’re even doing it. I remember thinking that it was silly to study art because it was so easy. Sometimes I wish that I could think of art as easy again. As a child, I spent a lot of time outdoors, in gardens, playgrounds, and in Berlin we lived by the forest. I grew up camping on lakeside land, that my family owned. My parents were educators and taught me about everything from multiple perspectives, from seemingly every angle.
TNYO: What is your nationality? Are you first generation second generation….
Katerina: I am third generation American, though I identify with my German and Canadian roots. My mother was born in Berlin.
TNYO: What is your view on humanity and its relation to the universe?
Katerina: I think humans underestimate our relative significance to the universe. I find that it requires mental gymnastics that includes a mindfulness, acceptance of the sublime, and a surrender to anti-egocentricity.
TNYO: What is your view on men and women - the way they relate to each other and the world around them?
Katerina: I believe that culture dictates a gender dichotomy that curtails people’s freedom of expression and self-actualization. This division sometimes leads people to follow scripts that do not promote real harmony between men and women. I think accepting that all people are made up of both sets of gender characteristics - would make for better relationships (internal and external).
TNYO: Do you believe in god?
Katerina: I’m agnostic. I’m open-minded and believe in timely connections and poetic timing.
TNYO: Do you think he or she or it or they are present in our daily lives and have a hand in the way the universe works.
Katerina: I’ve had a handful of near-death experiences. It is hard not to think that I was somehow protected in surviving each experience. I also believe that we have narrative structures to make sense of things that we don’t understand and that this sense of being protected might be part of that.
TNYO: Do you believe in good and evil, and if so how do these energy’s play out in our daily lives? Is there a predilection to who is good and who is evil, and how one becomes either or?
Katerina: I believe that we all hold the seeds of both good and evil capacities as humans. However, each incremental choice (like the butterfly effect) brings you closer to one end of the spectrum of the other. I believe that we constantly make choices to do things correctly and honestly. There is a difference between what is right for the individual, and what is right for the greater good - sometimes they match up and sometimes they don’t.
TNYO: Each painting, although done with a whimsical hand is the working of measurements and coordinates, and has descriptive words written on each canvas - such as Hexagon, Twilight etc... Can you tell us what these words mean?
Are they directions or some kind of map that will lead us to a destination?
Katerina: I think that the new use of text in my paintings comes from my years of teaching and using the dry erase chalkboards, and large pieces of butcher paper to draw out ideas and concepts for my students, resulting in coexisting images and text. Initially, the text in these compositions was supposed to stay in my sketchbook. These words were a way to reference the specific components of each painting, that I researched extensively and wanted to keep track of. Together the parts formed an interconnected cycle of chroma, time, season, music notes, and mystical notations that related to the various elements such as earth, air, water, and fire - between the different paintings. I wanted viewers to understand and have access to information that may have otherwise become lost or too difficult to discern.
TNYO: Are you driven by your desires or do your desires lead the way in your life?
Katerina: Good question! I have a strong desire to manifest my internal world and the visual concepts that I come up with in my mind into visual form. When I am on a path to make something, I sometimes feel like there is so much momentum moving me forward, and that I am just along for a ride.
TNYO: Do you believe in witchcraft?
Katerina: Sort of, sometimes.
TNYO: Are you a witch, and if so are you a good witch or a bad witch?
Katerina: No, but if I were - definitely a good one.
Are they directions or some kind of map that will lead us to a destination?
Katerina: I think that the new use of text in my paintings comes from my years of teaching and using the dry erase chalkboards, and large pieces of butcher paper to draw out ideas and concepts for my students, resulting in coexisting images and text. Initially, the text in these compositions was supposed to stay in my sketchbook. These words were a way to reference the specific components of each painting, that I researched extensively and wanted to keep track of. Together the parts formed an interconnected cycle of chroma, time, season, music notes, and mystical notations that related to the various elements such as earth, air, water, and fire - between the different paintings. I wanted viewers to understand and have access to information that may have otherwise become lost or too difficult to discern.
TNYO: Are you driven by your desires or do your desires lead the way in your life?
Katerina: Good question! I have a strong desire to manifest my internal world and the visual concepts that I come up with in my mind into visual form. When I am on a path to make something, I sometimes feel like there is so much momentum moving me forward, and that I am just along for a ride.
TNYO: Do you believe in witchcraft?
Katerina: Sort of, sometimes.
TNYO: Are you a witch, and if so are you a good witch or a bad witch?
Katerina: No, but if I were - definitely a good one.
TNYO: Are you happy?
Katerina: Generally. My philosophy is how can you truly experience happiness and satisfaction if you haven’t experienced sadness and disappointment.
TNYO: What makes you the happiest?
Katerina: In my work: fulfilling the potential of a project and actualizing an artwork through steps that require growth, experimentation, and discovery.
TNYO: What makes you sad?
Katerina: When things seem or are unfair.
TNYO: Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Both. I alternate. Most people who know me would attest to my extrovertedness. However, to be a real hands-on, long-hours art studio person requires a degree of introvertedness too.
TNYO: Do you listen to music when you paint?
Katerina: Yes, most of the time.
TNYO: Can you pick a song that you love for our readers to listen to?
Katerina: AURORA - Winter Bird
Katerina: Generally. My philosophy is how can you truly experience happiness and satisfaction if you haven’t experienced sadness and disappointment.
TNYO: What makes you the happiest?
Katerina: In my work: fulfilling the potential of a project and actualizing an artwork through steps that require growth, experimentation, and discovery.
TNYO: What makes you sad?
Katerina: When things seem or are unfair.
TNYO: Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Both. I alternate. Most people who know me would attest to my extrovertedness. However, to be a real hands-on, long-hours art studio person requires a degree of introvertedness too.
TNYO: Do you listen to music when you paint?
Katerina: Yes, most of the time.
TNYO: Can you pick a song that you love for our readers to listen to?
Katerina: AURORA - Winter Bird
Efflorescence solo show by Katerina Lanfranco on view through March 10, 2018 at the SCPS Gallery,
Pratt Manhattan
located at 114 West 14th Street, 2nd Floor, Manhattan, NY. For more information please contact Gallery Director Suzanne de Vegh at [email protected]
Current * Insta
Efflorescence Solo Show at SPCS Gallery, Pratt Manhattan
144 W 14th St, Manhattan. On view through 3/10
Late hours: Thursday 3/1, 6-8pm
Morning Meditation: Saturday 3/3, 11am-1pm
Closing Reception: Saturday 3/10, 3-4:30pm
Pratt Manhattan
located at 114 West 14th Street, 2nd Floor, Manhattan, NY. For more information please contact Gallery Director Suzanne de Vegh at [email protected]
Current * Insta
Efflorescence Solo Show at SPCS Gallery, Pratt Manhattan
144 W 14th St, Manhattan. On view through 3/10
Late hours: Thursday 3/1, 6-8pm
Morning Meditation: Saturday 3/3, 11am-1pm
Closing Reception: Saturday 3/10, 3-4:30pm