Interview: Lauren Kussro (May 2011)

What kind of materials do you use for your sculptures and why do you prefer them?

LK: I use wood for the armatures because it is easy to come by and work with, plus it is a natural material, which I prefer to use whenever possible. I use a stiffer cotton rag paper for the sculptural floral forms, in the past I have used a lot of handmade paper, but I’ve found that the cotton rag keeps its shape much better long-term. I do monotyping and silkscreen on the paper to give it the colors and designs I want, and then I saturate the paper with beeswax, which gives a transparency to the paper and allows the light to pass through it.

Which artists/artistic theories do you feel have influenced your own work over the years?

LK: I think in recent years, the work of Tara Donovan has been fairly influential. I admire how she utilizes everyday objects in mass quantities to create pieces that contain a real quietness. I was impressed when I saw a show of hers in Indianapolis recently, many of her pieces had such a presence in the gallery, and I had a very emotional response to the work.

In one word, what feeling do you hope viewers take after experiencing your art?

LK: Joy

Name your top 3 hobbies.

LK: I love to watch movies, garden, and read.

How do you take your coffee/tea?

LK: Coffee – super strong with milk or cream. Tea – squeeze of lemon.