KIKI FOSTER

Kiki is a British artist who lives and works in Birmingham and has recently graduated from BA (Hons) Fine Art at Birmingham City University.

Kiki makes vibrant sculptural work based on the idea of utopia and escapism, heavily influenced by kitsch and its tacky and ironic qualities. The techicolour surreal world she creates appears emerging in everyday surroundings, reaching out into the mundane world.

She won the Mueller Copper Svulpture Prize in 2008, and has participated in exhibitions around Birmingham and Walsall.

www.kikifoster.co.uk

Questions and Answers

1. Did you display your sculptures in different areas for the exhibition, as a way for the public to have a more interactive experience?

Yes, I wanted to give the audience a surprise around every corner, so it became sort of a trail suggesting a dream world existing beyond the fabric of the building.

2. Did u want to hide them to appeal to people who observe in detail and not just passers by?

I wanted the viewer the come across them by chance, and as they gradually start to notice them they begin to look and search, and notice them around the building.

3. Was money and time issue a major factor issue in your design thought process – so if possible, would you have made much larger sculptures therefore being more obvious to the public?

Time was definitely a factor, as with the mould making process there is not always guaranteed success. The more time I had the smoother finish I could have achieved. A larger budget means better materials, and I would also have liked to make one large piece at the end of the trail. For example, a giant toadstool.

4. You used kitsch as a way of displaying your sculptures. Do you think this idea would have made as much of an impact if real life interpretations of the animals were created? Kitsch adds humour to your designs, do you think this appeals to the public as an escapism to normal every day life?

I hope my work encourages escapism as it is one of the features that first drew me to kitsch. I wanted my work to include humour to engage the public.

5. Who is the target audience for your sculptures?

I wanted everyone to be able to enjoy my work whether it was for the celebration of kitsch, humour or the game aspect where they had to look for them.

6. If you had to make a short quick one day intervention in the public realm…

Would you be able to do this using your art ethic and concept? Any ideas?

I would like to place a large piece of work in a public space as if it grew there over night and it would be removed just as quickly as if by magic. I would like to hide smaller pieces in less obvious places in a more rural environment.

Would it be something you’d be interested in for the future?

I am particulary interested in site specific and art in the public realm as not everyone will enter a gallery and it seems a wonderful way to interact with the public and introduce them to different types of art.