Artist Q&A with Tali Rose Krupkin
Tali Rose Krupkin is an Israeli-American artist based in Jersey City, NJ. Krupkin attended the Year Course program in Israel, and received her BFA in Painting and Art History at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers. She draws inspiration for her work from her own experiences as they relate to topics of feminism, spirituality, and nature. In her recent collection of work, the artist pays homage to women reclaiming their voices to oppose forced societal pressures of objectification and expected domesticity.
Who is your favorite artist of all time?
Matt Bollinger is an artist that continues to be a great influence for me. Having initially viewed his work through a screen, I was drawn to his handling of paint and use of color. In 2015, I had the opportunity to experience his work in person at Zürcher Gallery and was blown away by his inclusion of collage in his paintings. When he spoke at New York Studio School in 2018, I was further intrigued by his depictions of personal narratives and his ability to de-idolize “finished” parts of his paintings, which he continuously paints over to create his animations.
How did you become a professional artist?
If you’re an artist, you’re an artist. You simply are. Growing up, I was at peace when I was creating, and that’s still true for me now. My creativity and self-expression are an integral part of who I am. From a career perspective, it’s much like any other path; you make a plan, and you work on that plan every single day.
What are the influences and inspirations in your work?
Inspirations for my work come from my female experience, an exploration of my spirituality, and the connection I have with nature. The imagery I use in my artwork gets revitalized, often parodying the initial intent that was employed to it. My work pays homage to women reclaiming our voices and opposing forced societal pressures of objectification and expected domesticity. Imagery previously deemed objectifiable gets upcycled to evoke feelings of power.
How is your work different from everything else out there?
My work is derived from my own unique experience and my voice comes through in my artwork. I want my viewers to connect with my art, and for it to provide a sense of relatability. If they can’t relate, then my hope is for them to ask why. I’m interested in composition and enjoy challenging the standard rectangular shape I’ve previously associated with a finished piece. There’s a rawness in my work that emanates from the unforgiving materials I work with. You can continuously edit a digital collage, but with analog collage, the materials I’m upcycling are precious. Once they’re glued down, they’re permanently affixed.
When is a piece finished for you?
I go off of instinct and intuition. A piece is finished for me when I feel I’ve struck a balance within the work. Whether that’s related to the color and composition, or my idea coming across clearly. When I’ve gotten there, I simply know.
What’s different about your current body of work?
While collage is not new to me, it’s a new focus within my art practice. Before embracing it as a substantial part of my work, my practice was centralized around large-scale oil painting. In my paintings, I heavily utilize color and luminosity to create the atmosphere; in my collages, I selectively assemble upcycled imagery to compose a new reality. It’s a very different form of expression that allows me to explore an artistic process void of brushstrokes.
Tell us about a few of your career highlights or moments that have greatly affected your career?
2020 upended my normalcy. Alongside all the chaos, I achieved clarity on how I wanted to channel my energy moving forward. 2020 is the year I implemented analog collage into my art practice. I was invited into an artist collective – Vision Coven, and joined the Jersey City Women’s Collaborative. These opportunities have given me an incredible sense of community, which is something I’ve found to be necessary. The relationships I’ve made in and out of the artistic discipline are something I hold dear, and have emboldened me artistically and personally. However, the encouragement my parents have given me to pursue my passion for art, goes unmatched; I realize not everyone has that.
What’s coming up for you?
I’m looking forward to creating a steady flow of art in the new year and hope to continue inspiring my current collectors, along with reaching new audiences. Currently, you can check out my work as a solo exhibition in Volume III of Oye Drum’s online magazine. Additionally, I have two of my works in a group exhibition at With Intentions Holistic Studio in Lake Como, NJ; the artist reception is on Saturday, March 13th at 6pm. I recently gave a live artist talk hosted by the gallery, and you can check out the full recording on their Instagram. Another one of my artworks is included in Walk-Bye’s public art exhibition at B’nai Jacob in Jersey City, NJ, which opened on January 28th. You can spot my artwork in Flemington DIY’s virtual art show; the live virtual reception is on Friday, March 5th at 7:30pm.
I’ll also have four of my artworks in an exhibition at Urban Studio + Unbound / Warburton Galerie in Yonkers, NY; the opening reception is on Saturday, March 13th at 6pm. Additionally, a work of mine will be published in the upcoming issue of The Pandemic Post, and another work will be published in the upcoming issue of Riot & Roux.
What advice would you give to an artist just starting out today?
My advice is, it’s never too late to restart the day. Don’t become complacent with your art; continue to explore and strive to grow as an artist. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community is essential. Lastly, keep your studio organized.
Who are some of your favorite under appreciated artists that you don’t think get enough attention?
There’s so much wonderful art being made right now, making it impossible to know about everything. I’d like to highlight a few artists whose works are currently inspiring me. Jenna Gribbon’s personal and provocative figure paintings, Leah Guadagnoli’s sculpturally constructed abstract paintings, and Hein Koh’s eerie and playful sculptures. I recommend checking out the different bodies of work from all three artists.
To learn more about Tali and her work, please visit www.TaliRoseArt.com.