“Freedom in art is the ability to express oneself without fear of retribution or censorship.”
Name
Franziska KOSI Narzinski
Profession
Painter
Website
Where are you from?
Two years ago, I moved with my family from Hamburg to my childhood hometown. But the beautiful city is only a few minutes away.
Your style in 3 words?
vibrant, bold, hidden-narrative
Your weakness? Your strength?
My sensitivity is both a strength and a weakness; it enhances my ability to observe and connect deeply, but it can also cause emotional exhaustion and uncertainty in social situations.
What makes you different?
I find it challenging to define what makes me different because I don’t strive to stand out. However, I believe my unique sense of humor, often paired with cynicism, allows me to approach serious topics from a different perspective, which many people can relate to.
When did you decide to become an artist?
For much of my life, I resisted the idea of being an artist. With my mother working professionally in art and as a teacher, creativity was always present in my childhood, yet my own artistic efforts felt half-hearted. A couple of years ago, I decided to embrace art again—this time without rules or constraints. It became a powerful outlet during challenging times, freeing me on a deep, personal level. I had spent many years working in advertising and media, but at some point, I grew deeply frustrated with my job. Finding this new path has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to explore new forms of expression. There’s also a certain intellectual satisfaction in simplifying complex or critical themes or hiding them within subtle hints. Somehow, something is now present that I had long missed.
Do you choose your art form, or does the form choose you?
I believe it’s a bit of both. I am captivated by simplicity, ease, and effortlessness, which naturally draws me to my current way to work.
What do you find most fascinating about the creative process?
I find the intensity of my emotions while painting truly fascinating. There are moments of great frustration when things don’t go as planned, contrasted with an almost obsessive focus when I lose track of time, forgetting to eat or drink. While I’m not typically impulsive, painting allows that side of me to emerge, and even though my self-doubts can be overwhelming, I strive to see them as opportunities for growth and improvement. But sometimes I also find it relaxing to just paint a motif without a story behind it, such as a vase with flowers or simply funny stuff.
A few words about your favorite creation?
I don’t have a single favorite creation, but I tend to gravitate toward pieces like ‘Don’t Like People That Much.’ This title reflects my recurring thoughts when I hear news about the world or face challenges in everyday life. Of course, it’s not a constant feeling—there are plenty of wonderful people out there too, but sometimes they can be hard to find!
What surprised you most about your first art shows?
What surprised me most about my first art shows was that they even happened at all. The very first was a group exhibition at the Fabrik der Künste in Hamburg, and I couldn’t be happier that they invited me. I’m consistently fascinated by carefully curated exhibitions; the variety of techniques and interpretations that seamlessly come together is inspiring. Good curation is an art form in itself.
Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…
I appreciate Eric Stefanski for his raw simplicity and depth. His works appear so carefree, yet it’s impossible to replicate his style. I’ve tried and failed miserably. 😉
Who would you like to work with someday and why?
I often joke that I ‘don’t like people that much,’ but I’ve met many inspiring individuals. However, I tend to feel overwhelmed by too much expression, so I would choose my collaborations carefully.
A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?
I’m currently experimenting with larger formats and constantly working to improve my skills since I’m not a formally trained artist. I feel that incorporating a bit more ease into my process could enhance my work even further.
Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“
My daughter, my family
2024: Where are we going?
Personally, I strive to evolve as an artist and refine my skills. However, when I look at our collective journey as humanity, I see urgent challenges that weigh heavily on my optimism for the future.
Do you think about time as an artist?
Absolutely. Time shapes the context of my work, and my art is not timeless. I am certainly quite modern in my painting style, which is one more reason for me to continue working on various projects, styles and experiments.
When the going gets tough…
Confronting challenges head-on fuels my creative process and opens the door to exploring deeper themes in my work. It’s through these struggles that I find inspiration. If you analyze my works more closely, you will notice that some of them have something melancholy about them. In fact, many of them arise from precisely these strong feelings.
Put on your future vision glasses: What direction is our generation moving in, what will our world look like in 50 years?
In 50 years, I envision a world that addresses structural injustices through collective action and prioritizes social justice and equitable resource distribution to create a more inclusive society.
What would you do if you could change the World?
I would prioritize education. Education is the key to unlocking potential and addressing many of the world’s challenges. It empowers individuals, fosters understanding, and drives societal progress. And access to modern evidence-based science for as many people in the world as possible is also important to promote further development.
What does freedom mean when it comes to art?
Freedom in art is the ability to express oneself without fear of retribution or censorship.
If the universe is everything and it’s expanding, what is it expanding into?
I often feel overwhelmed when I try to think about the universe. There are so many dimensions and orders of magnitude that I cannot grasp. I’ve read somewhere: The universe is not expanding into anything; rather, it’s a process of space itself stretching. It could mean for us that everything is self-referential. The question that needs to be clarified is: Can we actively change anything at all? Or rather not? But that’s very philosophical…
Tell us about your future plans…
I don’t make plans, except to keep going. Here and there, the opportunity to showcase my work would make me very happy.
Your city’s favorite spots?
I love the Eimsbüttel district where I used to live. Somehow everything comes together here. And it’s also, how could it be otherwise for me, somehow relaxed and yet exciting. Apart from that, Hamburg has too much to offer to list.
A book that everyone should read…
I don’t know if you have to read it, but I really loved Eurotrash by Christian Kracht. It somehow combined something modern with something classic in a simple way and was very unpretentious and light. I found that very fascinating. I like that kind of thing. No construction, no big fuss, but depth and subtlety.”
Last but not least: what is your favorite Song?
I can’t settle on a single song. Music is so dependent on mood, and there are so many great talented musicians out there. I can name Alt-J, Arctic Monkeys, I love Måneskin, but I also have a weakness for hip hop and classical music.
One last statement please: „Wood or stone, gold or art?“
Wood, stone, or gold can also be art! So where is the decision here
Your #…?
#womanwhopaints
