Interview with Frodo Mikkelsen

q)What is your earliest art-related memory?

a) My father is an artist, so i always played around in his and other studios... The earliest paintings and linocuts that is in my private collection, is from 1982

q) Who has had the greatest influence on your work?

a) The boys from the grafitti world ;-)

q) What are the main tools of your craft?

a)I use all tools...I do prints, sculptures, and all kind of other stuff...But painting is my main "product"

q) Is a formal education important?

a) Well, i never did go to art school, and im doing fine...More than fine :-)

q) What is the biggest misconception about art?

a) There is so many.....Often people thinks that artists, just fool around, and drink wine, and there work will be worth a furtune, when they die...They are so wrong !!!

q) Which is more important in art - concept or execution?

a) 50/50.....I think Concept is important, but i like to use my hands, so maybe for me execution is a little more important.

q) What theme or aesthetic are you most drawn too?

a) Pop art...!!!

q) What is your favorite piece of art in your home?

a)I have collected art for many years, and got hundreds of pieces, but....My big John Kørner, and Michael Kvium paintings, are really really nice !!!

q) If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

a) Chris Johanson, John Kørner, Tal R, David Shrigley...and...and...and....;-)

q) Which emerging artist do you think more people should know about?

a) Ditte Gantriis, Jakob Tolstrup, Mette Boel....Just to name a few...

q) What has been your greatest achievement to date?

a) To get here...NOW...Where i make money, and i got my freedom, showing around the world, in nice gallerys and museums....

q) What has been your biggest roadblock?

a)The biggest roadblock has been that i never whent to art school, and the danish art world have had a big focus on people from these schools, and if your not in, you are 10 steps behind.....But work hard and have fun making art, then you can make it, and wake up one day and find yourself 10 steps forward ;-) than people from art schools...

q) How do you define success?

a) Fredoom, to be your own boss...

q) What will be the name of your autobiography?

a) Ha ha...I dont know, maybe : FRODO, There can be only one :-D

q)What is the best piece of (art-related) advice you’ve ever been given?

a) Keep your eyes on the goal, and have fun making art !!!!