Press: Artist Interview
I had several pieces of art in a group exhibit in Redding, California over the holidays.
During the run, I was contacted by Adam Mankowski, who saw the exhibit, loved my work and wanted to interview me for Date Magazine, a weekly Arts publication that he writes for.
Adam also runs HawkMan Studios, a company that represents artists and organizes monthly Art Hops in Redding. He invited me to exhibit in an upcoming Art Hop and we are currently planning something for March.
Pop Art Designer, Nikolas Allen
Here is the interview featured in the Artist Profile section of Date Magazine:
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Nikolas Allen: musician turned advertising art director turned video producer turned artist and designer, transplanted to the north state from Minneapolis via San Francisco in 2008. This Mount Shasta artist explores the shadow side of human nature with his neon eye candy pop art.
Describe your work for someone who has never seen it.
“My work is contemporary pop art. It’s sexy, bright, bold and fun with an urban edge and an acerbic wit. I enjoy exploring innovative presentation techniques. My trademark creation is the DigiPopFuzzBox, which is digital pop art mounted to fuzzy box frames. I’ve also mounted my art to chain-link fence gates and recycled window frames.”
“ZEBRAGIRL!”, digital print, 48in. x 42in. ©2010 Nikolas Allen
Have you shown very often in the north state? [Note: the north state refers to the far northern region of California. - NA]
“In the year and a half that I’ve been in California, I’ve had solo shows in San Francisco and Ashland, Oregon, and been in group shows in Yreka, Mount Shasta and Redding, California. Before I moved out west, I exhibited in both solo and group shows in Minneapolis, Minnesota.”
What are your favorite regional venues for art?
“I’m a fan of any venue that offers an opportunity for people to experience art. I applaud everyone who helps to create a space where a relationship between an artist and an audience can transpire.”
What’s your view of the state of the arts in the north state?
“From a creative standpoint, there’s an amazing abundance of people expressing themselves in a variety of mediums. That’s always a good thing. From a business standpoint, it’s about the law of supply and demand. While the economy is showing signs of improvement, the current supply of creative media exceeds the demand by a sizeable margin. I would like to see a lot more self-sufficient artists in the world.”
“CHOCOLATE CHERRY”, digital print, 24in. x 24in. ©2010 Nikolas Allen
What are your favorite subjects and what makes them interesting to you?
“I like to be surprised, shocked, excited, provoked and inspired when I discover art. I aim to create work that incites similar emotions in my audience, regardless of the subject I happen to be exploring. Also, I’m a pop culture junkie, so anything that references the current zeitgeist usually gets my attention.”
Favorite artist, living or dead?
“This is a tough question. However, I gotta go with the Granddaddy of Pop, Andy Warhol. I saw the ‘Warhol Live’ exhibit at the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco last summer and my mind was blown wide open. Being close enough to his giant ‘Double Elvis’ to see the silver spray-painted canvas and staples running up the side reduced me to a giddy schoolboy. Plus, with him, it wasn’t just the art; it was the entire Andy Warhol brand that was so intriguing.”
“RAT BASTARD!”, digital print, 24in. x 30in. ©2010 Nikolas Allen
What are you working on right now?
“I’m preparing my first photography exhibit, ‘Urban Hues’, which is a study of color in the city. I shot the series in San Francisco and Portland and am seeking an appropriate venue for a big, themed spring show.
I’m also creating an educational program for artists who want to learn about personal branding and marketing in order to stand out in a competitive marketplace and achieve greater success. I’m currently writing the eBook and I’ll be utilizing workshops, video and blogging as well.”
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The Redding Holiday Art Show took place at Old City Hall Gallery and ran from November 11, 2009 through December 24, 2009.
This interview was published in Redding’s Date Magazine on December 24, 2009.
Welcome to Nikolas Allen Art dot com. I am a Pop Art Designer with a background in music, advertising and video production. 
Comments
Groovy man! Glad to see things are moving along for you !
Good luck !
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