Renowned artist John Stezaker, who saves his best works for his private studio in St Leonards-on-Sea, recently opened up about his ongoing struggles with self-doubt and anxiety. Despite his charming demeanor and successful career, Stezaker admits to feeling worthless and unsatisfied with his creations, turning to his personal collection of works as validation.
His haunting collages, such as the Masks series, which combines vintage postcards with film star images to create monstrous and unnerving faces, reflect his fascination with metamorphosis and gender. Stezaker’s new Spell series overlays female stars onto natural history illustrations, creating intricate and detailed compositions that are both captivating and unsettling. He considers his work to be a form of transgender art, rooted in his experiences at a transvestite karaoke event in the 1970s.
Struggling with health issues, including arthritis and a recent heart attack, Stezaker finds solace in creating art, often working tirelessly through the night. Despite his long journey to recognition, Stezaker’s work has earned him acclaim in the art world and he continues to push boundaries with his innovative and thought-provoking creations.
As he takes viewers on a tour of his studio, Stezaker showcases his diverse portfolio, from experimental films to collages inspired by personal experiences and tragedies. His work is a testament to his unique vision and ability to transform ordinary images into extraordinary pieces of art. Stezaker’s exploration of gender, identity, and transformation challenges viewers to see the world in a new light, one that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.
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