Today we’d like to introduce you to Katharina Stenbeck.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As with many creatives, my story has quite a few twists and turns. I find that my creative journey has been like a funky ball of yarn – I just began pulling at a loose end one day and it’s been unraveling ever since, leading me in all kinds of new directions as I go.
My background is originally in theatre, from an early love affair with performing which began at a young age. I studied acting, with a keen interest in experimental theatre, all throughout my teens and early twenties. Acting is also what brought me from my hometown of Stockholm, Sweden over to the US. I first lived in New York for many years, both studying and working in the acting scene, but over time my interest in traditional acting was replaced by a newfound interest in exploring self-produced performance projects. I was drawn to projects that allowed me to explore a more fluid approach to performing. At this point, I was fronting a rock band and had started experimenting with creating wearable art for use on stage. It was a pretty awesome time, being a kid in New York, performing all over Brooklyn and Manhattan with oversized papier-mâché masks, body paint and a homemade crown made from thrift store forks. In my later twenties, I also started painting and exploring fine art.
I moved from New York to LA in 2015 (I live in Ojai now, about 90 minutes north of LA). In LA, I launched my first solo project in music, Galleriet. As Galleriet, I self-produce everything from the music to the music videos and the audiovisual live shows. I did a string of performances last year that were tailor-made for gallery spaces around LA (with a show in Stockholm and Ojai, as well). Rather than performing in traditional live music venues, I wanted to merge my love of electronic music with my love of fine art and performance art. I had a lot of fun with that.
Earlier this year, I also launched a YouTube channel where I post weekly episodes about work that I’ve made across all my different mediums. I shoot the episodes in my studio (which is in my garage) and I’ve really enjoyed sharing the backstory behind many of the pieces I’ve made over the years. It’s been really rewarding to connect with an audience that way, so I look forward to continue to explore that format.
Since moving up to Ojai, I’m adding a new medium to my arsenal – design. It’s something that I’ve dabbled in here and there over the years but never fully pursued. I’ll be launching some brand new items this year that I’m really excited about. There’ll be candle holders and other wood items, as well as some totes and pillows made with custom fabric. I’ll still continue to paint, exhibit, and create prints of my paintings, as well. Keep your eyes peeled. I already know that I’ll be participating in the West Coast Craft fair in DTLA this December, so come visit me there to see some of these new pieces in action!
Has it been a smooth road?
A smooth road? I wouldn’t say that! But it’s certainly been a fun one. Pursuing a creative career that doesn’t fit into a preconceived mold means you’re often fumbling in the dark, going on gut feeling and trusting that your inner voice won’t lead you astray. You’re constantly blazing your own trail, which is empowering, but it can also be a really lonely and/or scary place to be sometimes. There’s no roadmap because everyone’s journey is completely unique to them. The rollercoaster of your ego being high as a kite one day and then hitting rock bottom on the next day can be exhausting, until you find a way to stay more even-keeled and trust in your own innate value. I find that the simplest advice – like staying focused on your work, honing your skills, and being open to good people that cross your path along the way – is some of the best advice.
I’m constantly learning, growing, stumbling, investigating, exploring and getting turned on by new ideas as I go. I’m still not sure what this wonder that is creativity is all about, or where it comes from, but I’m very happy to be a vessel for it. Here’s to holding on to your hat and going along for the ride!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’d say that a red thread that runs throughout my work across all mediums is playfulness and creativity. I love riding that line between what’s instantly accessible and what’s a little odd. I’m a big fan of bold colors and my work often explores themes of womanhood, nature, and symbolism. As far as mediums go, I love to work with methods and materials that are accessible, have a craft sensibility and really employ my hands – like papier-mâché, wood-working, and sewing. I’m also a fan of geeking out on my laptop and I enjoy discovering new software and methods that empower my art and music-making in a digital sense.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I’m happy to see the arts starting to become more diverse, making space for a wider range of experiences to be known and seen. There’s still plenty more ground to cover, but I feel like we’re living in a powerful moment in time right now. There are a lot of big shifts happening and voices that have previously been silenced or have gone unheard are beginning to get a seat at the table. I think we’ll see the ripple effects of these changes continue to grow, expand and take hold over the coming years.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.katharinastenbeck.com
- Instagram: @katharinastenbeck
- Facebook: @katharinastenbeck
- YouTube: http://bit.ly/2TMH1xA
Image Credit:
Jay Rondot
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