How did your creative path began, tell us about your life story…When I was a kid, my mother let me paint and draw all over the walls of my basement and bedroom. This is how it started…
Are you just an observer in life or do you prefer to make your comments… Observer.
How did your love for art begin, and what was your exploration journey? Watching movies. Films became my way to escape, and when other kids went on vacation, I went to the cinema.
What was the first thing you created and how far is it from your today’s work? When I was a kid, I made little short films where I would follow people around, filming them. Considering that I make documentaries now, I can see a connection, I guess? It all begins with my curiosity, and obsession with archiving moments.
In what way does Greece and Athens influence you and your art? Athens is endlessly mysterious and I find that inspiring. I feel invisible in this city, and although it can feel lonely sometimes, most of the time I find it exciting.
Where does your inspiration come from? My Life.
How do you use color in your work? Do you just follow your heart? When I paint, color is intuitive. I mostly mix on the canvas, discovering the color as I go. In saying that, I do start out with a palette I like, 5-6 colors I choose, and it goes from there. In my photography work, I mostly shoot black and white, and lately with painting, color is exploding. It’s uncomfortable a bit, but I’m trying to embrace this expansion.
What about your last book. Why You Are Not Home? In 2019, I lost everything I owned to a house fire, and in general I’ve moved a lot in my life, searching for the meaning of ‘home’. It’s changed it’s definition at least 5 times in life, and is constantly evolving, and I’ve discovered it in nature, in people, but never in walls or rooms. You can read and buy the book here www.closepublishing.com
Which is the best part of making IM NOT HOME, for you? For me, it took courage to put out such a personal book. So I’d say, persisting through all the doubt, is what I’m mostly proud of.
What goals are you pursuing now? I’d like to write and direct a feature film and do a solo show.
Which collaborations have been the highlights of your artistic journey? Honestly, I thrive in collaboration and can’t name just one. I’ve worked with some incredible people and grateful for them all.
Where can someone find your work available ? www.jaeclose.com
When you enter a room what draws your attention first? The light, smell and ceiling height.
How do you see yourself in ten years? Making art somewhere near the sea, but with more animals.
The designer and the artist you adore I’ve always admired Yohji Yamamoto.
Have you ever designed something, an object maybe? Yes, many, especially books. But soon I’ll start designing chairs.
An exhibition you will never forget I’ll always remember the CY Twombly exhibition at the Guggenheim in Bilboa. It was raining outside and I had no umbrella, so I stayed for many hours, and for this, I thank the rain.
The last thing you bought and loved My 1997 Suzuki Vitara.
Favorite guilty pleasure No pleasures are guilty.
What are three places you return to time after time and why My bed, the bathroom and the coffee shop.
At your dream dinner party you’d invite Never meet your heroes
