Charlie Engman

Charlie Engman
Artist
City of residence, NYC, NY

WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM

QA:
 

COL: What is your general vision as an artist? 
CE: Always trying to be as clear-eyed as possible.

COL: What motivates you (main inspiration/muse)?
CE: Fear of failure/success.

COL: Why did you choose this particular artistic medium?
CE: I mainly use photography because I like to share. Photography is an expedient way to copy and mold some version of reality. Almost everyone has some personal engagement with photographic images (they’re everywhere and easy to make), so there is an inherent gesture towards mutual participation and ownership between me and the people viewing what I make.

COL: What is your idea of the perfect piece of art?
CE: Surprising and obvious at the same time.

COL: What - in your opinion - is the main difference between fashion and art?
CE: Semantic.

COL: What is your definition of beautiful?
CE: Surprising and obvious at the same time.

COL: How do you choose to interact with/ ignore or use commerce in your work?
CE: Commerce has the only keys to certain locks and is what gives me the ability to invest in and take risks with my work.

COL: Is there a message to be read from your work, politically or otherwise?
CE: Hopefully, it’s a dialogue.

COL: How has digital media opened up creative possibilities for you as an artist?
CE: Digital media has made it that much easier to share and learn and has changed the role of gatekeepers in both good and bad ways.

COL: What is your greatest extravagance?
CE: Being an artist.

COL: What is your motto?
CE: “Why choose”COL: What other artistic field would you like to excel in?
CE: Writing.

COL: How would you describe your signature style?
CE: I have a healthy skepticism of style.

COL: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
CE: Being able to make a life out of my work.

COL: Where do you pull your references?
CE: Everywhere! Why choose.

COL: What is uncontaminated to you?
CE: Cross-pollinated but healthy.