javier gonzález volume 1, 2005, #004

javier gonzález was born in rosario, argentina, in 1974, and grew up in buenos aires. there he studied at the graphic design and art college, and shared a studio with illustrator constanza basaluzzo. having illustrated more than 30 books, his works have been published in colombia, chile, the united states, spain, and mexico, and exhibited in sweden, italy and japan. to be successful as an illustrator for children, he believes that you have to be a bit of a kid yourself - you have to feel comfortable sitting in front of your computer screen, spilling your chocolate mousse on the keyboard (for example).

1. how would you explain 'art' - in 19 words or less? i think art is a cathartic representation of things that can't be easily represented in a single way - like love, hate, childhood.

2. what is the first work of art you ever loved? roberto fontanarrosa's drawings. his works made me want to become an illustrator.

3. how important is theory to your art? theory is not very important to me. the only good thing about theory is that it can help you to understand a little about why an artist did what he/she did, or perhaps what he/she was trying to express.

4. describe your ideal art workspace. it must a be a big place to work comfortably, with a lot of shelves to store art materials, and a big table to put art materials that i'm using.

5. describe your current art workspace. two computers on a white table, two white chairs, and some of tim burton's collectible action figures over the table.

6. if you could be placed in suspended animation and safely reanimated at some time in the future with the sole purpose being to see how history treated you / your art, would you do it? i see no inconveniences in taking a trip to the future. i believe that what happens in the future can't be changed - it's destiny.

7. who are some of your favourite artists (contemporary or canonical)? basquiat, godard, pollock, kar wai, keith haring - all artists with an explosive and fragmented style.

8. tell us about a gallery (online or physical space) that you think rocks, and why you think it rocks. coroflot collective portfolio (www.coroflot.com) rocks a lot because it is a site that gets heaps of traffic, which means that many people can view your artwork when it's featured there.

9. would you choose the baked bean jaffle or the caramelised pumpkin and red onion tart with crispy radicchio and hazelnut salad with apple vinaigrette? the baked bean jaffle sounds good. i don't like pumpkin and onion.

10. finish this sentence: "the work of art can / cannot be considered separately to the artist because ________." the work of art can be considered separately to the artist because the important thing is the artwork, not the artist.

check out more of javiers's work at: www.coroflot.com/javierburgos

Girl gone wild cardboard, acrylic and permanent ink 2005

When will the bird learn to fly?
permanent ink, white paper and digital colour 2005

Stilts permanent ink, white paper and digital colour 2005