Artist to Watch: Interview with Petra Von Kazinyan

Vienna-based artist Petra Von Kazinyan is an artist you'll undoubtedly hear more about and I am more than grateful to share this interview with you. Her artwork is amazing and her self-taught skill is truly remarkable. Ms. Kazinyan grew up in Germany and studied philosophy and Literature and it is from philosophy that truly inspired her artwork. Her dreamy-like beginnings as shown here show a true appreciation for colour and composition while her later work shows an inclination towards figuration. It is this mixture of talent that makes her a fascinating artist to both discover and follow.  She first began by copying the Old Masters and it shows in her latter work. Her work is crisp but free of emotion. It is cerebral instead in the hopes of a philosophical discourse. There is beauty in it too and you can't help but notice it in the hair braid paintings with the females quietly contemplating reality.  The vast variety of her work is immeasurable and deserves to be studied. I particularly like the abstract layering in her cloud-like formations but equally appreciate everything figurative as well. The portrait of the late Ruth Ginsburg is fascinating and a true revelation of the depth of her knowledge and skill. And the last work brings Mark Rothko to mind. I like the juxtaposition of colors and abstract forms. Its truly arresting. Please feel free to examine the works and see for yourself the wonder of Ms. Kazinyan's work. It is work really worth studying. I wish her all the success she deservers and I hope she shows her work at a gallery or art fair on this side of the Atlantic.

How did your studies influence your art?

I obtained my Master’s degree in Philosophy and Literary Studies at Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main/Germany, and my philosophical background highly influences my artistic work - I‘m interested in life‘s big existential questions and how they affect our reality.

Which artists have had the most important impact on your work?

Picasso and Van Gogh, not regarding their painting style, but I can totally relate to their artistic approach - how they needed to transform their lives into art, in a fearless, uncompromising way.

And I’ve always felt very drawn to Velázquez‘ work, too - “Las Meninas” has been fascinating me since I first discovered it in one of my school books - I couldn’t stop staring at it, it was so captivating. It has an intensely theatrical and enigmatic quality which is hard to describe; the whole setting, its sense of mystery and game of mirrors create a magnetic, irresistible pull effect.

How did you teach yourself to paint?

Since my early childhood, painting has always been the most natural way to express myself. To refine my skills, I grabbed some of my parents‘ art books and started to copy Old Masters - it taught me a lot about the play with light and shadows, depth, proportions……

Why did you decide to move to Vienna?

I fell in love with Vienna when I was a child, so one day I just moved here - turning my childhood dream into reality.

Your work has a dreamy character to it, is it intentional?

My work oscillates between figuration and abstraction, dream and reality, past, present and future, so it’s an essential part of my creative output.

What do you like to do on your time off?

I love spending time in nature, travelling in general - exploring new places, getting inspired, collecting experiences…… 

And I‘m very interested in the science of fragrances and their inherent duality of fleetingness and eternity; it’s such a mesmerizing field to explore. I’m fascinated by a scent’s ability to contain and evoke memories.

What are some of your favourite books and films?

My all-time favourite book is „Der Zauberberg“ by Thomas Mann - reading it at the age of 14 was a life-changing experience for me.

And I love movies by Luca Guadagnino and Ruben Östlund, “Call me by your name“ or “The Square“ are true contemporary masterpieces; “A Dangerous Method“ by David Cronenberg is also an all-time fav of mine, as well as Sofia Coppola movies or Woody Allen films like „Vicky Cristina Barcelona“ or „Manhattan“.

Which paintings would you most like to have in your home?

Almost anything by Mark Rothko, Cy Twombly or Lucio Fontana, if it would be possible!