William Kentridge

1. Why did you choose to stick with the same media for most of you artwork?
2. Do you always use the same character in all of your pieces?
3. When did you first realize that you were probably going to become a recognized artist?

I like how his emotional inspiration isn't within himself, like most artists, but observed in the world. It shows selflessness which is a rare attribute to find in most people nowadays. He must be teeming with inspiration though because he lives in South Africa where he can witness abusement of government, people, rights, etc...it's all there.

"The main complaint is dealing with the distress that lingers even after the abuses have ceased." Obviously he has seen a lot in his life and it has affected him greatly. I like how his artwork has the quality of sketches but then certain parts of his drawings are so detailed it's creepy. As in the piece History of the Main Complaint, the eyes looking back in the rearview mirror look earily accurate and realistic. His pieces almost have a horro feel/look to them in part due to the media he uses.

The use of charcoal really adds to his artwork, especially when making movies. Because charcoal is never really permanent, when making movies, frame by frame, I would imagine that some parts would smudge, creativng texture and unintentionally adding more to his pieces, I think that's part of the process. People may be smudged and it will in turn look as if a memory is disappearing.

He doesnt always used the same character, it's just the same character, Soho, for one of his films. I think he chooses to stick with the same media, charcoal, because it works for him, it adds to his artwork, allowing his to constantly change his pieces and it in turn gives a nice texture and variety. And the point that made him realize that he was going to be an artist was when he realized that the one thing that he had ever been good at and that ever made him money was drawing.

1. Why do you choose to stay in South Africa, why not come to America? If you did, do you think the style of your artwork would change?
2. Have you ever considered using others forms of media for your artwork?
3. Are you happy with the way your life turned out, with being an artist?