Interview by Jimon

1-Lene Kilde, how would you describe her?Happy and hard working.

2-Where do you currently reside and work?  I work in the workshop of the school where I studied once. They have a program that makes it possible for past students to come and work there, and use the workshops. In return I am holding some courses and answering student questions.

3- What school did you attend and do you think it was necessary?  I have a Master Degree in Product design. The name of the school is Oslo met, department of Product design. I am using the knowledge from the studies every day. I learned a lot about using different materials and the design process. And how to go from an idea – to the finish result.

4-Do you remember the first piece of art you created? How old where you?

My father used to make oil-landscape paintings in the evening. I was eager to help, and after a while, getting a bit too much help from me, he gave up, and I was the one doing the paintings, with a bit of help from him. It might be from the age of six or something. From the same age, I was also fond of carving and making wooden sculptures.

5-What would you be if not an artist?  A designer.

6- How did you acquire your style?  It is a mix of different techniques that I achieved over time. I used to make sculptures out of metal mesh. I called it “To draw in open spaces”. I started including concrete in my sculptures after having a project in “Grenada underwater sculpture park” in 2014.

7-Your sculptures are inspired by children specifically their hands and feet, what is the reason behind that?  I find children body language to be the most honest way of communication. And by showing the hands or feet people have to use their own imagination to finish the sculptures. This is my way of helping them connect with the sculptures. You are using your own life and experience to interpret the sculpture.

8-Best advice you ever received in regards to your courier as an artist?  It must be; keep working hard. remember to eat and sleep, be kind to yourselves. I got another good advice that I do not follow, although it would be a good idea. To facilitate my projects to make them more time efficient.

9-The future is ——–?  The future is full of exiting projects and lots of traveling.

10-What forth-coming projects and or exhibitions do you have scheduled?  I am taking part in an exhibition in Madrid this month. It is an exhibition who honors the victims of the terrible terror attack in 2004 where almost 200 people died and 2000 were injured. It is the first time ever that my sculptures are in a context like this.  I was recently invited to have a big solo show in Taiwan, so I am making plans to figure out how to arrange it. For the time being, am exhibiting in Beirut, in a new gallery called Belveder Art Space, and in a French gallery with the name Arts Range.

11-If you could have dinner with 3 artists living/dead who would be at your table?  Frida Kahlo, Yayoi Kusama and Stephanie Metz.

12-Name three things you can’t live without in your studio?  Nose pliers, welding machine and people.

13-How would someone find you on social media?  Instagram: @lene.kilde