NEW ARTIST INTERVIEW: BAKHTIYAR BERKIN | DegreeArt.com The Original Online Art Gallery

NEW ARTIST INTERVIEW: BAKHTIYAR BERKIN

We first came across this artist's work at the Camberwell School of Art Summer Show, where he graduated from this year with a BA in Fine Art. Bakhtiyar's meticilously constructed photographs challenge our perceptions of reality by placing mundane and found objects into surrealist and unsettling scenarios.

Since joining DegreeArt he has kindly taken some time to answer a few questions about his work for us. 

In your work you combine mysticism with surrealism and pop culture. How much research goes into the creation of each image?

That is a very accurate synopsis of my work. Each image I create requires a lot of research. I usually pick a topic and gather information from various resources, like books and articles as well as watching movies and visiting exhibitions.

You build all the sets seen in your photographs yourself in your studio. How long does it usually take you to get from the initial idea to the final product? Do you set yourself a budget?

Getting from the initial idea to the final product depends on the complexity of the project; on average it usually takes a month. I never begrudge the money I spend on any of my work, I am absolutely convinced that the more money, time and effort you invest in your product, the greater the outcome will be.

   

Medusa96x114x7cm, £1,200                                               Simulacra, 95x118x6cm, £1,200

 

All of your photographs are shot on a large format camera. Can you explain what attracts you to this particular method?

I tried my hand at every camera format available to me at university and came to the conclusion that large format is king when it comes to color and quality.

You’ve lived in many places – Kazakhstan, the US, and now the UK. Would you say that having experienced such contrasting cultures has had an impact on your work?

Yes, living in these places gave me the opportunity to experience different cultures, which had a great impact on my artistic practice. As is known, these countries dramatically differ from each other in terms of culture, which has been very conducive to looking at the world from a different angle.

         

Stroker76 x 89 x 5 cm, £450

In your artist statement you mention that the imagery you now create is informed largely by the episodes of sleep paralysis you experienced as a youngster. Could you tell us a little bit more about these visions? Was it frightening at the time?

I still experience episodes of sleep paralysis now and then. I must admit that they terrified me when I was a child, so much so I was scared to go to sleep. Later on I got a little used to it and I started paying attention to what was going on in my dreams. The places I visited appeared to be completely surreal and full of highly saturated colors. During these visions my body was totally paralyzed, but I was fully aware of my surroundings and the horrifying creeping creatures and other crazy things that were there with me. It almost felt as if I was on a LSD trip. 

You’re about to start your Masters degree at LCC. How do you plan to develop your practice during your time there?

I am very delighted that I have joined the MA program at LCC. I have worked out a clear-cut plan of working on my projects and hope that LCC would provide me with necessary knowledge and skills to achieve my goals. 

To see more of Bakhtiyar's work please click here. For any queries, email isobel@degreeart.com

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