Exclusive Interview with Kaltrina Hoti-Artist
NY Glam: Tell us a little about yourself and your career beginnings.
I become emigrant in my early 20-s, left my country Kosova, left my dreams behind because I had to survive, first I had to stay alive. America gave me a new breath of life, first years I was in New York, I had to learn how to survive, I didn’t speak English very litter, didn’t have papers …I was a person without name and number walking thru the heart of the world New York. Me and my husband stared family, worked hard to have roof over our heads, my soul was crying not for better life conditions but because I couldn’t paint …with $ 200 dollars a week I had to give my child some kind of life. In few years thinks were better and words in the same time.
I went thru divorce, and from that moment I decide to bring my soul alive, I star painting, now nobady was on my way (my ex never believed in art) . I become student of Chuck DeHaan western artist, for 4 years 14 hours a day ,7 days of week I was painting …I was a live for the first time.
NY Glam: What projects are you currently working on?
I decide to visiting my country after 32 years, observing the lost emotions and memories and putting those fillings on white canvas, a month ago I had opportunity to present my art work for the first time in my country, and it was beautiful experience.
NY Glam: What art do you most identify with?
Abstrakt …I was told my art work can be compared with work of Gerhard Richter
NY Glam: What themes do you pursue?
Because I come from place where woman is still victim of traditions, woman is always my subject, thru colors I tried to express emotions that woman goes thru. Always judge.
NY Glam: What’s your favorite art work?
If you asking from my work, I don’t have favored. Every painting is excitement but when I finish I feel I want more and better.
From artist Van Gogh is where I find peace.
NY Glam: Tells us about some of your recent exhibitions. What memorable responses have you had to your work?
I recent had exhibitions in Prishtina, my city. it was very beautiful experience. Did couple sales, I had a lot of visitors.
NY Glam: Tell us about one of your projects which you are very proud of.
I been active in some different activates but I have to say …I am the proudest that I am working every day in front of easel, searching for unseen and untouched inside the canvas.
NY Glam: What does “being creative” mean to you?
To find good thinks inside the sadness or tragedy, to be able to express one thought of true felling thru hope and love.
NY Glam: What are you trying to communicate with your art?
Thru my art I am trying to say, be yourself and that’s all we need in life. Listen to the inside voice that we forget to listen because of dynamic life.
I talk to the colors and canvas every day, my soul is art …art is soul.
NY Glam: What role does the Artist have in Society?
I think has the most important role, life brings challenges and the only time to bring some strength to life is thru art. Thru Art is record the truth of humanity, when you see a painting brings fillings to the person.
NY Glam: What are your thoughts on being an artist in today’s world?
Is beautiful, Art is becoming part of world changes. Is helping the world to change.
NY Glam: How has painting influenced your life?
For me painting is the most important part of my life. Whenever I see pain or unjustness thru canvas I express my opinion about that subject, that means I don’t argue about the challenges of life but recorded them and learn from them thru silent.
NY Glam: What art movement or artist would you say influences your work most?
Van Gogh
NY Glam: What can we expect from you this year?
I have a lot of work in front of me. My plan is to prepare myself for exhibition of 100 painting …. presenting me as American and my identity as Albanian
NY Glam: Can you share with us three favorite things about your city/culture?
I am Albanian borne in Montenegro, educated in Kosova and live in Amerika, three thinks I choose to say about my culture:
Food is amazing
Traditional clothing is shadow of our past
Woman is respectable in highest level, (if you follow Albanian way not what past powers left behind them)
We are strong people.
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