Interview by Jimon

1. Tiko Kerr, great name for an artist. Where were you born and where do you currently live and create? Thank you. I was born in the Rocky Mountains of Western Canada but lived for a long time on the island of Bali in Indonesia where the locals who couldn’t pronounce my given name, concocted “Tiko” and it stuck.
2. How would you describe Tiko Kerr? I’ve always been consumed with the need to create things and have strived to make work that is authentic and unselfconsciousness. My eyes have aberrations that cause visual hallowing of colors (cloisonnism) and wobbling in forms and I merely paint what I see.  I am a survivor of some existential challenges which have enhanced the depth of my artistic practice. I work constantly and obsessively and I am fulfilled.
3. What was your first experience with art as a child? I recall vaguely my first memories of drawing meticulous bands of yellow and orange stripes on coloring book characters that created the first optical hallowing effects as well a strangely advanced sense of volume. And I remember loving a turquoise crayon so much that it was constantly in my possession and I repeatedly attempted to see if it’s taste was as delicious as it’s color.
4. Have you ever come across a piece of art that you could not or did not want to stop looking at? Two come to mind: Pollock’s “Easter and the Totem” and  Velazquez’ “Las Meninas”

1. There’s such a dramatic shift in your work. From your paintings to the new amazing collage series; what triggered this shift? My collaboration with a theatre company offered me the opportunity to return to consider the human form, my first love. I’ve always believed that human beings are walking collages anyway, compositions of ideas and beliefs from our past.  And I’ve always had a nagging insistence of the responsibility to repurpose as much of the detritus of my life into my art as I can, so over the years I’ve incorporated old brushes, paint tubes and medical paraphernalia into my compositions. The paper collages were an excellent chance to plunder my towering stacks of magazines and art books and to give new life to imagery from art history that I find engaging.
2. What was the First job you ever held? I worked on a tree-farm digging up, wrapping, transporting and transplanting formidably sized trees where the scratch-factor was enormous, as were the clouds of insidious mosquitoes.
3. If you had to watch one movie on repeat for eternity, what would it be? Cinema Paradiso (1988) especially the final scene.
4. Where/when do you get most inspired? I can’t think of any time or place where I can’t potentially become inspired.
5. First thing you think/do in the morning? And Last thing at night? In the morning I think “the crows and gulls are already up ” And at night I think “the crows and gulls are still up “
6. What is your least favorite part of the day? The late afternoon rush-hour, the commute from my studio to my home.
7. If you weren’t an artist, what would you have liked to be? Nothing.
8. Why make art? I have no choice. I am possessed.
9. The future is _________? … “always getting more interesting”

14. If you could have dinner with 3 artists living/dead who would be at your table? Van Gogh, Picasso and Bacon although I suspect Vincent might be brooding and obstinate and Picasso clearly would dominate the conversation. Bacon would undoubtedly drink too much and become unruly. But it would be fun.
15. Name three things you can’t live without in your studio? An idea, a need to create and time.
16. What forth-coming projects and or exhibitions do you have scheduled? In July I’m executing a large mural with another gifted painter.
17. Anything else you’d like to mention that I didn’t ask? There has never been a better time to be a creator as today; we can share our work and ideas globally with a click of the mouse. And there’s never been a greater need for creators to guide our misguided world that’s so visually malnourished.  It’s a privilege to be an artist; we are the soul of humanity and we have a great responsibility to use our gift to inspire others.

Thank you again for the invitation to share my thoughts.

You can find Tiko’s work for sale in the BUY section.