VICTOR ZAK ZAIKINE

Biography

My art has always been about relationship; my relationship to the surrounding landscape, and to individuals, family, friends and partnerships. My art is also an expression of introspective exploration. Through art I am seeking to understand myself, who and what I am, not only as a result of these outer relationships. How am I affected and thusly produce art that embodies this transformation and understanding?

Icons have influenced my expressions, both literal and metaphorical. In my childhood household, Russian icons with lighted candles were found in almost every room. I spent time in the churches my father painted with murals across the ceiling and walls reminiscent of Michelangelo. The icons of the 1950's were cowboys, Superman, Wonderwoman and Popeye, which inspired me to investigate how and why these archetypes have such a great effect on us and our culture.

As a person who visualizes in three dimensions, my creative output is primarily executed in sculpture. Much of my work has been produced from recycled stock. My first experience with steel was as a custom car designer and builder and I use these same techniques of sandblasting, welding and painting in my metal art. I work both in extremely durable material such as bronze and steel as well as "ephemeral" material such as earth, pine needles, leaves, river stone, fallen tree branches, and straw; "nature's discards'. In more recent years I developed an extensive body of ceramics, both fragile and permanent.

My use of impermanent materials has led to a deeper respect for the human body. In creating my polychrome welded steel sculptures I seek to create the illusion that they are not actually made with the durable technique of welding and reinforcing metal. By layering numerous undercoats, grounds and pigments on steel (or ceramic) I seek to mimic skin, muscle, and body mass. This is supported by a strong skeletal "bone" structure.

Two years ago I was faced with the delicate, ephemeral nature of the human body first hand. Health complications resulted in the loss of my left leg. Through art I am exploring this journey and developing new ways of working. This loss has led me to a state of retrospection as well, and I am revisiting some of my original creations in bronze and steel.