Interview, Robert Hardgrave

Robert Hardgrave doesn't fall back on the cliché description of self-taught, he describes himself as self-developed. I like this, because work like his challenges our idea of where art comes from. Some would say that it comes from Academia and a CV full of particular criteria. I say it doesn't come from an MFA. It comes from our experience. And why not? After all, Hardgrave's does.

Here's my interview with Robert:

I sort of ignored the subject and simply went forward as I typically make work. Although in the back of my mind I'm sure that simple suggestion of the word "erotic" sparked some sort of subconscious reaction. My current work sort of has a sort of fluid sensual quality to it anyhow, so I didn't find it that difficult to produce. Normally I wouldn't consider my work erotic but somehow I guess it could be. Who would've thunk? As the work progressed the work "rapture" began to come into my mind. I just went with it.

How does the use of colour impact the stories you are telling in your work/in this specific piece?

I am including two pieces for the show and they both have a different color palettes. In "Generally Speaking" the use of iridescent paint adds and extra touch to the sensual quality of the mark making. In the correct light it is extremely vibrant. "Catholicon" is more sexually suggestive without being too overt, with an inner and an outer.

In your biography you explicitly state that your work is about life. I see this reflected in the expressive intricacy of your images and mark-making. Is there a kind of mythology in the world you create? Is sensuality, either intentional or incidental, another celebration or aspect of the life we celebrate?

There are reoccurring themes in my work dealing with disease and recovery, life past death and the cycle of life. As my current work is evolving into the abstract, being more about the immediacy of the mark making, the mythologies are becoming more subtle. The sensuality of my work is incidental yet reflects the enjoyment of being alive and able to make expressive paintings.

What do you most look forward to in this year's Seattle Erotic Art Festival?

I've never been so just going should be fun.

Give us one thing you think is unexpectedly sexy:

Black and white drawings with a ton of contrast and plenty of gray tones.

Thanks again Robert. I look forward to meeting you!

Thanks Sharon!!

As always, if you're curious and want to learn more, please visit SeattleErotic.Org!

Robert Hardgrave, Generally Speaking (detail) 2008 acrylic on canvas
image courtesy of the artist

Robert Hardgrave, Valhalla ink on paper
image courtesy of the artist