Jan Vincent Helm

Interview with artist Jan Vincent Helm —

1. Who are you and what do you do?
My Name is Jan Vincent Helm, born in Berlin. I am an autodidactic painter living and working in Frankfurt am Main.

2. Why art?
Art (similar to nature, love and music) can put a spell on you and extend your mind.

3. What is your earliest moment of wanting to be an artist?
After I had finished my diploma in mathematics.

4. What are your favorite subjects and media?
I tried out a lot of techniques, such as sculpturing, etching, woodcut, drawing, etc. However mixed media (oil, acrylic, sand, fabric, paper, etc.) on camvas is the thing that I deal with most oft he time.

5. How do you work and approach your subjects?
The painting surface mostly lies on the floor, this way you can better control fluid media and combine oil, acrylic, sand and other material. Normally I work on more than one piece at a time, typically I have about 10 unfinished paintings in my studio.

6. What are your favorite art work(s), artist(s)?
My favorite artwork at the moment is by Cy Twombly – Tryptichon „Problem I,II,III“ that I just saw again in the Museum für Moderne Kunst Ffm (MMK).
I´m not able to name my favorite artists here because there is too many of too many centuries and countries …
Obviously my work is influenced by the European Informel and the American Abstract Expressionism.

7. What are the best responses you have had to your work?
If somebody bought or auctioned it of course. But nice to have were also articles on exhibitions or pictures/videos of your work etc. in the media.

8. What do you like about your work?
Starting with a new canvas and work on it until (between 5 minutes and 5 years) the piece gets „something own“- distinctive and inimitable. My paintings normally have no title, in order not to disturb the viewers associations.

9. What advice would you give to other artists?
Be convinced of your work and find and go your own way. Work for yourself. But also be aware of what other artists do and let them influence you.

10. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
At work and maybe a bit more famous …

Jan Vincent Helm

Links —

Saatchi Gallery: www.saatchionline.com/vince
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JanVincentHelm
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLFGEj70VY0