Ben Siekierski
Artwork’s Title: ‘We’re going to need more lanes’
Year: 2019
Materials Used: Porcelain Tile, Grout
Art Verge
How would you define your work in a few words (ideally in 3 words)?
Ben Siekierski
Tongue in cheek
Three more words to describe ‘We’re going to need more lanes’:
Rare North-American Pool-Shark
Is there any story behind this artwork? How did you come up with this idea?
The idea evolved over the better half of 2018 after having done an interview with another publication with the upshot of gaining a ton of new followers on Instagram. However, I noticed that a lot of these accounts were artists expecting me to follow them back, and when I didn’t, they’d unfollow me. This was sort of my first brush with this whole Instagram hustle mentality, and somewhere along the way, it crossed over with the idea of pool sharks, giving me a working trope that would help guide me to a finished piece.
What would be the best way to exhibit your artwork?
I feel like my work exists in the studio, in the white cube space, florescent lighting, mixed with natural light.
Are there other titles that you were thinking before the decision for its final name?
I remember them being pretty dumb, stuff along the lines of “Geez there are a lot of sharks in this pool” and “dang how did all these sharks get in this pool”. The title Rare North-American Pool-Shark eventually came after I scaled down the piece into a play off of the poster for the movie Jaws.
Can you mention any artists you, lately or generally, take inspiration from?
Lately I’ve been taking a lot of inspiration from Los Angeles artists such as John Baldessari and Calvin Marcus.
How do you know when this artwork was finished?
My work usually has a pretty definitive end point. I try not to clutter the work with too much, especially since I can always make another work instead of employing the kitchen sink mentality.
What about the place where you work? What’s your studio space look like?
I actually just moved studios a few weeks ago, so it’s relatively clean. My studio space can get pretty hectic and cluttered, I’m not as organized as I should be. It’s in this really cool former creamery by Denver’s national western stock show, I have these amazing ten foot windows that light up the space during the day time.
Is there any particular message that you wish your viewers can take from this artwork?
There’s definitely ideas I’m playing around with in the work (hustling, being an artist, breaking into the mainstream), I want people to get them from the work. However, I completely understand that viewers are coming from everything at a different angle, sometimes it’s better to submit to the death of the author.
What does your mum think about your art?
She likes the current body of works I’ve been putting out, but her and my dad would prefer if I painted more landscapes though.
Which exhibition did you visit last?
The last exhibition I’ve visited was probably the Emily Joyce show at David B. Smith Gallery here in Denver, I’d definitely recommend people check it out.
Which are your plans for the near future?
I’m planning on elaborating on these chart paintings I’ve been working on. I think there’s a lot of interesting content to mine out of them. I also want to build a 1:1 replica of my dad’s cubical from the early 2000’s.
Additional Works
All images are courtesy of the artist