Rope, video, 1h14min, 2013
Briefly describe the work you do.
My projects are carried out through multimedia pictures and photography, combining traditional and modern techniques. I am trying to avoid labelling my works so I move beyond established regularities of each media. I often refer to the conceptual solutions. My works may be seen as universal, simultaneously they refer to my personal experiences.
Tell us a little about your background and how that influences you as an artist.
It is difficult to distinguish one source of inspiration or influence for my works. My work is mostly influenced by everyday life and my previous experiences. Sometimes I just walk the streets and take pictures of things that interest me. Another times nature is the inspiration. I may also be a good book I read or some feeling I find deep inside me.
Scrapbook, video, 4min, 2014
The concept of the “artist studio” has a broad range of meanings, especially in contemporary practice. The idea of the artist toiling away alone in a room may not necessarily reflect what many artists do from day to day anymore. Describe your studio practice and how it differs from (or is the same as) traditional notions of “being in the studio.”
My studio is much different than traditional. There are no easel, brushes and paints in it. Rather electronic devices and a lot of cables. Arrangement of the studio must suit the way artist creates. It has to fit his or hers needs, so that you don’t waste time looking for required materials. You just focus on creating. Another important thing is atmosphere. Studio must me a place where artist feels well and can concentrate.
What unique roles do you see yourself as the artist playing that you may not have envisioned yourself in when you first started making art?
I changed the way I see the world. I had to learn a lot of things, but other came to me by themselves. For sure I found in myself some “humanistic” part I had no idea about before. I also started seeing connections between things that earlier looked unrelated.
Digits, video, 5min38s, 2013
When do you find is the best time of day to make art? Do you have time set aside every day, every week or do you just work whenever you can?
It is hard to give specific time of the day. More important is peace, quiet and right temperature. It can’t be too hot nor cold. And I have to be well slept.
How has your work changed in the last five years? How is it the same?
Last five years was primarily the time of experiments with different techniques and subjects. During that time I found some that I would like to continue and develop further. I must say that the beginnings of my work were closely related to photography. Fortunately, I studied Media Art and naturally I was able to fulfill myself in photography, in the course of time, however, I became interested in other media such as video and multimedia installation.
Are there people such as family, friends, writers, philosophers or even pop icons that have had an impact on the work you do?
I was, and still am, strongly influenced by people that appear in my life. It is very important for me that my family accepts and supports me in what I do. I had also a lot of luck if it comes to teachers. I learned a lot of valuable things from them. If I am to point some artist whose output is important to me I would go for Robert Mapplethorpe, Hiroshi Sujimoto, Christian Boltanski and polish videoartist Zbigniew Rybczyński.
If you had an occupation outside of being an artist, what would that be and why?
I would be a mathematician, in fact Before I started my sudies at The Universityof Arts, I had studied mathematics for a short time. It is the second area of my interests. Topic of figures as well as other mathematical issues appear from time to time in my works.
About
Joanna Bonder born in 1987 in Wrocław, Poland. MA in faculty of Graphic Arts and Media Arts at The Academy of Art and Design in Wroclaw. In 2012, Joanna was awarded with the scholarship granted by the President of Wroclaw City and by the Academy’s Chancellor. Creative output of Joanna is formally linked to popular idea of conceptuality, however themes are within several different areas. One of the them is popular image of deconstruction and reflecting upon perception of modern human. Another area, which is explored by Joanna is mortality, time passing, memory and even occultism and mysticism which are not as popular among new media artists.
All images copyright of the artist and used with their permission.
365 Artists | 365 Days 