We had the good fortune of connecting with Marta Kucsora and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Marta, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
I’ve always had big dreams, dreams I projected into the future without knowing how to bring them to life. As the years have gone by, I’ve realized that I’m now living the dream I’ve long cherished. It’s a journey marked by persistence and the belief that we should never give up.
Being an artist, to me, means having unwavering faith in the power of creativity, but it’s also a constant battle with self-doubt. This doubt often arises from the weighty history of painting as a medium and the challenge of meeting my expectations. It’s a delicate balance, a push and pull between creative conviction and the shadow of uncertainty.
In life, there’s a nuanced equilibrium between movement and stillness, between satisfaction and confusion, and between taking action and feeling stuck.
My art studio is where these dreams find a home, a sanctuary where I can create the world I’ve always envisioned without limitations. It’s a place that feels like a second home to me. I long to spend more time in the studio, but I also strongly desire to be with my family and immerse myself in nature’s beauty. This inner drive to work more and to be present in all aspects of life creates a unique tension that defines my artistic journey.
My pursuit of these dreams faced an early challenge during my university years when the studios were too small and crowded to work on the large-scale canvases I envisioned. Working within these limitations was heroic in its own right, but it was also complicated and challenging. Yet, the dream to work on a grand scale remained strong. Eventually, I rented a spacious industrial building in Budapest and gathered like-minded artists. Together, we became known as the Budapest Art Factory, one of Eastern Europe’s oldest artist-run residency programs.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What truly motivates me is the exploration of uncharted territories in abstraction and discovering novel means of expression. In my mind, the studio is akin to a miniature universe, an experimental laboratory that enables me to fathom the world and subsequently reflect it through my art.
The allure of a pristine, white canvas never fades for me; the blank canvas sets my creativity into motion. The meticulous handling of materials, the layering, the delicate dance with gravity, and the gentle caress of airstreams all come together to breathe life into my art. I embrace the elements of probability and chance as essential components of my creative process.
As I mentioned earlier, the scale is of paramount importance. To truly delve into the vast expanses of the micro and macrocosm, we require dimensions that exceed the ordinary. This allows us to embark on a journey from the subatomic world to the grandeur of planetary systems. My work is profoundly shaped by these perspectives and the ongoing discourse surrounding them. I keep a vigilant eye on the developments in quantum physics, intending to create a sensory experience of physics through my paintings and video art.
I yearn for the day when I can dedicate all my time to the studio. Yet, the life of an artist carries the additional burden of mastering the intricacies of the art business comprehending its rules and constraints.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
In network science, it has been established that an artist’s success is contingent on society’s recognition of their work. This scientific insight, championed by my dear friend Albert-Laszlo Barabási, underscores society’s vital role in bestowing success. Consequently, I sincerely appreciate the support and inspiration from my community, both near and far in the world, which has propelled my artistic journey.
Throughout my artistic career, I’ve always found contentment and the joy of painting. However, a profound change occurred when I became pregnant. It was as if a switch had been flipped, unlocking a newfound creative energy within me. My daughter is eight, and these have been the most extraordinary years of my life. I attribute this transformation to her, as she’s helped me become a woman with greater integrity and an artist with heightened confidence.
Website: www.kucsora.com
Instagram: @martakucsora
Image Credits
David Biro, Colin Welch, Kyle Knodell