Dmitry Kustanovich “I've never got a free ride”

When you look at Dmitry Kustanovich art work first thing that strikes you is his technique – unique, expressive, and perfected. City slashed by rain, impulsive lines of butterfly wings, sun, trees – all are characters created by artist's brave pallet knife. In fifteen years of persistent work Dmitry Kustanovich became a true master, whose paintings conquered not only Belarusians, but also Russians, Germans, French. This Year Dmitry celebrated his 35 anniversary. He has already achieved recognition and fame and became financially independent. We can love him or hate him, suspect being mercantile, however it is wise to ask him how did he manage to attain those heights. What was the beginning for you as an artist? Hard to say. I painted a little all my life: first with a pencil, then with watercolor, then I took up oil. I devoted myself to painting after one incident.

Once, in the beginning of 90's I was walking down the “artists'” street. I came up to one woman and asked “How much is this painting?” “Forty dollars” – she said. I thought “Can't I paint a birch tree?” I painted one and brought to that place. Next day it was sold. I needed money at that time: I just got back from the army, got married, and got admitted to the university. So I started painting popular subjects - I almost had my own production line. Little time passed and I began to love painting and could not allow myself to feel like a charlatan. Thus I began to paint my own.

So you are not a professional?

I did not go to any art school or art college. I learned to paint myself: I read, visited exhibitions, and experimented. I even mastered oil myself: I just liked its plasticity and facture. My mother helped me to make the decision to dedicate myself to art, to spend time on what I liked doing. She said to me “Choose what is the most important for you”. On the other hand, I followed her wish and entered pedagogical university, musical department. Therefore, I just had to become successful in painting to prove her that I can be a great artist. And although today we have some disagreements, I'm grateful to her for being supportive and understanding.

Why did you choose painting and not music?

In my opinion, painting is the most philosophical art. Music is created under the influence of momentary emotions. The foundation of poetry is meaning. Theatre is a spectacle. And paintings require wisdom and reasoning.

Do you look up to any other painters?

I don't think there is anyone who has absolute authority with me. I believe that I am close to Salvador Dali in my ambitions and to Savrasov in my spirit.

Do you devote al lot of time to painting?

I work almost 24/7. Painting itself takes only 1,5 – 2 hours, but to imagine it, to “give birth to it”… I don't think, probably, only when I sleep and 15-20 minutes after I stop painting. Then I relax.

Do any completed paintings disappoint you?

All the time! I don't have any favorite paining.

On your personal exhibition I saw a rack of t-shirts painted by you. Are you preparing your own clothing collection ?

T-shirts are here almost by accident: friends asked me to paint something as a present. And those are what is left. I had the desire to create my one clothing collection several times, especially when it comes to choosing clothing for myself. Whatever is offered in stores here is to say the least - tasteless. I'm tempted to create a collection – “Protest”. Unfortunately, I don't have sufficient funds for that.

How about sponsors?

No, thank you! I'm very independent and self-sufficient. Money has never been my goal. Even at the beginning of 90 th , when the easiest way was to go and sell chewing gum, I was trying to make my way creating art. I have never gotten a free ride. Getting a sponsor means somebody's else brand name on my clothing line. Then the collection looses it s meaning .

Rain is one of the most popular images in your artwork. Do you like nature's surprises?

Love or hate… it doesn't matter. Art is not an artist's method of showing his passion for something. The image or object itself doesn't create any interest of its own. Real painting is very far from human passion. There has to be love, feeling that crates something divine. It is important “how” to paint but not “what” to paint”. Rain in my paintings is just a way of reflecting my mood and the state of my soul.

You chose the music that plays at your exhibition. What music is that and why did you choose these particular musicians.

Muse, Radiohead, compositions from French movies – all of that is a background, a method to create the mood that I put into my paintings for viewers. This music is like a soundtrack for silent films.

Tell us the secret for success.

The key is to think with your heart. And work. Like Andrey Tarkovski said: “You have to water your tree every day”. An artist has to be afraid of comfort until thirty, forty years and a painter until fifty.

At the end the artist smiled and said “Ask me the question that no one else has ever asked. Ask if the beauty will save the world?”

Would the beauty save the world?

True beauty will save the world! Genuine beauty is not about pretty dressed lady with big eyes and sexy legs. Beauty is about a woman who is giving birth, wise, faithful, and loving spouse. This can save us all.
 
Interview by Valentina Ostreyko

Translated by Natallia Hramianitskaya