Wanda Hela Katz
NAME :
Wanda Hela Katz.
OCCUPATION :
Artist.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN :
I was born in the UK.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE :
I currently live in the Georgian city of Bath, UK.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST START COLLAGING AND MAKING BOOKS :
Even though I have had an aesthetic eye since childhood, my creative practice blossomed in my mid-50s, so I would say it’s never too late to begin a creative journey.
WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR SOURCE MATERIAL :
I source my antique ephemera from all over the world. From specialist auction sales, online selling platforms, and flea markets.
ARE THERE ANY PIECES OF EPHEMERA THAT YOU DECIDED NOT TO CUT UP :
No, I’m not squeamish about that.. I have masses of fragments of antique papers and have been known to tear to size larger pieces. My practice is all about using antique fragments of ephemera, giving them a new life and history.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK YOU HAVE MADE :
Any current book I work on is my favourite; if not, I wouldn’t be enthusiastic to carry on. Only afterwards will it take on its own life… No doubt there is a hierarchy on my bookshelf of my favourites, I have at least three or four for various different reasons.
WHEN DO YOU KNOW A PIECE IS FINISHED :
That’s easy, you know when you know. To elaborate, I would say that a piece is finished when, by adding a new fragment, nothing more is gained.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB :
Can clock off when I feel like it.
ARE THERE DAYS YOU DO NOT WANT TO CREATE :
I have to say that has never happened….. The ideas just keep flowing, and the ephemera continues to inspire… if that stopped or diminished, I would just kick back and look at all the books I’ve made, with over 180 and counting that would keep me busy for some time.
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WORK :
The papers themselves are my Muses and, first and foremost, my inspiration. They lead the way.
IF YOU COULD SPEND THE DAY WITH ANY AUTHOR ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE :
Van Gogh.
IF YOU COULD SPEND THE DAY WITH ANY ARTIST ALIVE OR DEAD WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE :
Quentin Crisp.
IF YOU COULD OWN ANY ARTWORK IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE :
Hands down, any self-portrait by Rembrandt.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS :
Quirky, detail obsessed, wild….oh that’s 4!
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY :
Clasping a book and hanging onto it for dear life.
WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A KID :
Curious, introverted, and book mad.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION :
Ultimately, nothing can be possessed, so I draw a blank.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE :
Tilda Swinton.
CHOOSE A SUPERHERO :
My 17yr old mini dachshund, Tula
WHAT IS YOUR WORST TRAIT :
Working on becoming more patient with my impatience.
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT :
A vivid imagination, ideas for books, and aches & pains…. and if you don’t get that last point, you will one day just wait a bit!
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT :
The gift of becoming a mother.
DO YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS :
The Week in Art, In Our Time, Eckhart Tolle Essential Teachings, A Brush with, Fashion Neurosis, The Thought Police, whilst in my studio
WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE :
Sneaking off somewhere quiet to read, precious me time.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING YOU EVER STOLE :
A packet of Rolo’s.
YOU ARE HEADING TO THE ISS / INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, CHOOSE 4 PEOPLE TO TAKE A LONG :
Can I just take animals…. Fewer arguments and drama that way!
WHAT WOULD A PERFECT DAY FOR YOU LOOK LIKE :
To be doing exactly what I am doing, just with a more congenial climate.
IF YOU COULD BE FRIENDS WITH A FICTIONAL CHARACTER, WHO WOULD IT BE :
Lola from Charlie and Lola, something tells me we’d get on like a house on fire.
YOUR TOP 5 MAGAZINES :
No time….books are my lifeblood.
WHAT IS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ :
Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland. Highly recommended and resonated deeply..
WHAT WAS THE LAST GIFT YOU GAVE SOMEONE :
My daughter, but she doesn’t know it yet!
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU :
Time is my biggest motivator, the older you get, the less you have of it… Consequently, the imperative to create meaningful work is uppermost in my mind.
YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
Anywhere that has a room with a view.
YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
A room with no view.
WHAT IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST :
A visit to Petra and becoming a grandmother.
DO YOU LIKE BEING INTERVIEWED :
No problem for me.
WHAT’S THE CLOSEST YOU HAVE COME TO DEATH :
Somebody once said to me that all you can hope for is to unravel slowly…. I tend to agree.
IF YOU HAD A BOAT, WHAT WOULD IT BE CALLED :
That is never going to happen, as I would never step foot on water, not my vibe.
WHAT IS A PERSONAL MOTTO OR MESSAGE :
…on and upwards….
