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Creating a dream theme
An artist known as Bask collaborates with seven other artists to create "Belligerent Dreams,'' a show in which each artist finishes another's work.
By BRANDY STARK
© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 30, 2001
Dream #3 by David Williams
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Ales Hostomsky, who uses the name Bask professionally, is gaining local and national acclaim for his mixed media works, which he creates as his own form of social commentary. A self-proclaimed deconstructionist, Bask often uses materials found in garbage bins, particularly old paints, to create his urban-based masterpieces.
Bask, 24, is participating in a collaborative show hosted by the Hyde Park Fine Arts Gallery, titled "Belligerent Dreams: Bask Collaborative Series."
The show involves seven other local cutting-edge artists: Mark Taylor Michaels, Kathie Olivas, Brandt Elling Peters, Ron Pieniak, P$ynner, Frank C. Strunk III and David Williams. Each artist created a piece for Bask to finish, while Bask, in turn, created a work for each artist to finish.
To keep the works consistent, the artists concentrated on a dream theme. The show runs through Sept. 22.
We caught up to Bask and asked him more about his current show and projects.
Where are you from?
Where did you get the name "Bask"
I adopted the name when I was still doing graffiti art. I would sign my works as "Bask," as in "Bask in this, everyone, it is art." From the age of 16, people started using that regularly as my name.
How would you describe your work?
It's basically social and political commentary. I take Americana and deconstruct it, analyze it, and reconstruct it. I utilize a lot of mixed media and found objects. I like to make my art look like it was pulled right off the street.
What is your artistic background?
I am a self-taught artist. I dabbled in many different mediums. When I was a teenager, I drew comic book art and Mad magazine illustrations. Then, between the ages of 16 and 20, I was very fond of graffiti art, which taught me how to use colors. It also helped me learn how I wanted to approach my art. I liked its strong urban mentality, which carries into my current style. Now, I am into the fine arts and work primarily through the galleries.
What is the statement you are trying to make with your art?
I want to raise social consciousness at some level. I am a conscious individual; I tend to over-analyze my environment. I point out things that I find wrong with society, like consumerism, or things highlighted in the news, and I use them as the subjects in my art.
Your current show, "Belligerent Dreams," is a collaboration between you and seven other artists. Why did you choose to do a show in this format?
I wanted to challenge the other artists, and myself. I had to make all of the works work together, which was the hardest part. I did not want the show to look like a hodgepodge. I also wanted to give the art audience something different. This is something like a pop art version of surrealism, as it focuses on dream imagery. I want to keep the public on its toes by offering new formats of art and exhibits.
Where do you see your art going in the future?
I want to continue going to galleries, showing my art, and have people appreciate it. I want to keep pushing my artistic boundaries. Normally, though, I don't like to look too far into the future. I have always found that life can change at the drop of a hat.
PREVIEW
"Belligerent Dreams: Bask Collaborative Series" is at Hyde Park Fine Arts, 937 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call (813) 258-8883.
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