Museum Mind: Robert Bohn

While visiting my brother in Brooklyn earlier this month, we stopped for coffee at Tarpit -Brooklyn Coffee. Upon entering the expresso bar, my eyes were drawn to a fantastic painting on the wall. After gazing into the piece for a few minutes, I came to the artists name on the bottom , Robert Bohn.The man behind thought provoking pieces, that hang on walls from Jersey City to NYC,  is just as interesting as his artwork and was cool enough to take a few minutes to chat about his art and inspiration with me.

HH:Would you say the world is your canvas or do you prefer a certain medium?
RB:The world is everyone's canvas. Everyone is an artist - some recognize it and embrace it - some observe and force it - and some just do not see it. If you can recognize your natural abilities than anything and everything is yours to create with.

HH: In your opinion, is there a difference between a creative mind and an artist? Which do you consider yourself?
RB: A creative mind is a fabricator - one who designs based on learned techniques - the artist is a natural - one who abandons mind. I struggle with mind and attempt to discover the truth of my art.

HH: Where does your creative spirit come from when looking at a blank canvas?
RB: My creative spirit comes from spontaneity. Over time my work evolves from discarded, previously destroyed, or abandoned work. The Majority of my materials are resourced from found or acquired objects so it is not often that I get a blank or fresh canvas. My first impulse is to re-purpose objects. Whatever that might entail depends on the object and the situation. A great deal of our waste is still useful in other forms. So, weekly, I search for discarded objects that I find of interest - be it - color - shape - volume - function - age - weight - etc. These things collect and begin to live in some form - some things become paintings - others become - collages - instruments - or sculptures. I am just the observer and interpreter.

HH: Would you say you paint for a certain audience, or can your artwork hang on any wall?
RB: My artwork is made to be nailed, bolted, taped, glued, or screwed to any other surfacw - or can stand on its own. I do not create things that hang level or neat in frames or something fancy. My work is its own living thing that changes shape and appearance over time the more it is worked on. Nothing is permanent or sacred. It is truly up to the viewer to understand that and hang it without care.

HH: I discovered your artwork in Tarpit; do any other local places house your pieces?
RB: You can find most of my work abandoned in Jersey City - along the streets - in trash heaps - behind fences - under overhangs - in and on abandoned buildings - etc - several shops and galleries have hung my work. Sept 7th at the Balance Salon in Jersey City there will be a showing.

HH: Whose artwork do you admire?
RB: I admire my children's artwork - it is pure and un-filtered - they have not yet been poisoned by art instructors - they are free and funny - real and raw. My neighbor Ed is also a great artist with undying endurance.

HH: September 7,2012 you and four other artists will paint the garage doors at Tarpit coffee shop. How do you feel about street art? Have you done any other work on unusual platforms?

RB: Street art is fun to look at but to me is too overdone and celebrated. Many works are permanent and over valued. Artwork should be changed regularly as communities change and grow. All the people should participate in creating and observing local art. It should be a communal thing to do. Street art has its brands and its heroes - and it has become monotonous and repetitive. As for working with other platforms - all are welcome.

HH: Where can we follow your work?
RB:You can follow my work at robertbohn.tumblr.com