Please tell us your name and where you practice.
Jeffrey Isaac – I also use several pseudonyms for different purposes. I work in a large well-lit studio on a hilltop in Umbria, Italy and in my mind when I’m not there.
Why do you do paint?
Not by choice. I’ve done so since I was a child — studied and practiced it all my life.
How do you work?
I concoct projects for which the prospect of seeing them realized will sustain the 99% sweat involved in executing them.
What’s your background?
I was born in NY, grew up in Switzerland, returned to the States for art school, did a year in London, spent 10 years in the downtown underground in NYC, and then moved to Italy.
What role does the artist have in society?
Investigating and commenting on aspects of human nature and existence.
What was a seminal experience for you?
Having a piece banned for blasphemy, indicating the power of public images.
How has your practice changed over time?
Technological tools have helped increase productivity.
What art do you most identify with?
Any that mirrors my current interests, regardless of period or style.
What’s your favorite memory of childhood?
Discovering the self-contained pleasure of making art.
What themes do you pursue?
Displacement, incongruity, juxtaposition…
Describe a real-life situation that inspired you…
My inspiration comes afterward, reflecting on images I collect and process from it.
What’s been your most embarrassing moment?
Dealing with the public aspects of being an artist.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
Fortunately not many. Artist’s assistant and some design & photo jobs.
What responses have you had to your work?
All over the board over the decades. Enough positive ones to keep me going.
What research do you do?
I take lots of photos and scour the internet.
What is your dream project?
Something large and public with collaborators and assistants.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Don’t show in pay-to-participate exhibitions.
What couldn’t you do without?
My family and my freedom.
What makes you angry?
Stupidity, incompetence and narrow-mindedness.
What’s your worst quality?
An aversion to marketing my wares.
Dogs or cats?
Both!
Making art is a lot like being on lsd. Know what I mean?
Absolutely, but I’d put it more like skinny-dipping in the sub-conscious.
What does “copy” mean?
To reproduce without interpretation.
What’s your favorite cuss word?
“Cazzo di Budda”, Italian for Buddha’s prick – I’m told it’s fairly mild.
See more work by Jeffrey Isaac here …
And here http://www.jeffreyisaac.com/…
Wonderful.
Great!
Holy Shit, Jeffrey! Congratulations! Hope Jack Loring reads it!
Love them!
The painting inside the Aeroplane “Corinth” speaks to me, “This is the last freakin time I’m taking you on holiday Mum!”
Pete
Great interview & a fantastic artist with something to say through his work. Refreshing
Hi Jeffrey,
I really love the renoir. The courber ist great. I will look at them in germany next month. I heard they will be part of the Nordart 2011. Is that true. Saw this http://www.kunstwerk-carlshuette.de/de/files/Isaac_64.pdf . Cool.
Keep my fingers crossed.
yours
theo
Love the surprise element in your work. Love the mastery of your drawing and painting. Please check a french art magazine called “A Z art”. your profile and work fits in there beautifully. Liked you interview too. “Discovering the self-contained pleasure of making art”. Cheers to that.
Amani.
Boy long steps away from when we first met. I am going to show theseand other pictures to John Wesley now that I am a little more mobile after spine surgery did you by chance see his big show coupleyears ago in Venice sponsored by Prada…. He painted 60 years before real recognition but still not really because like you the comic frightens people.. Teybwant to who knows what..but the comic…has to be deeply contained…
Jolly good answers.
What does “copy” mean?
To reproduce without interpretation.
Haha. Yes.