Coffee & Copper Art

'Screw Fast Food' replaces nourishment with hardware. By filling a fast food container with screws and dressing it up as luxury I wanted people to start thinking about what we‘re really being sold. We often end up spending even more money on products simply because they come in sleek, glamorous packaging, even when we know the contents are, quite frankly, junk. Don‘t judge me though, I still treat myself to McDonald‘s every now and then. Let‘s call it… research.

I usually plan the entire piece in advance. It all starts with the core idea, of course. From there, I either take reference photos or build a full sculpture, which I then photograph to guide the painting process. The artwork itself begins with acrylics, followed by the application of copper leaf, and finally, I finish it off with dried coffee grounds to bring in texture and depth.

What motivates me most as an artist is that I‘ve found these two materials - coffee and copper - that really define my work. Using them together gives my art a distinct character and sets it apart from others. The best part is that the coffee grounds are recycled. I just make a pot of coffee, dry the used grounds and turn what would‘ve been waste into something beautiful and lasting. Sometimes it‘s all about creating something visually striking and aesthetic, and other times I lean into a more playful or thought-provoking concept. For me it‘s the mix of materials, craftsmanship and meaning that drives my creative process.

With this piece in particular, I hope the viewer’s first reaction is “Hey, that looks cool!“ and then, on a second glance, they catch the double meaning and the playful, slightly sharp jab at consumer culture. Above all, I want people to be struck not just by the concept behind the artwork, but also by the intricate details and craftsmanship of the coffee art itself.

The biggest challenge for me as an artist is to handle all the emotions I guess. Staying true to my vision while facing the pressure to be marketable and trendy. Creating meaningful work without getting discouraged by the lack of recognition or slow sales. And don‘t even get me started on self-doubt and perfectionism. Being an artist can honestly feel like an emotional rollercoaster - one moment you‘re completely in love with what you‘re making, and the next you‘re questioning everything. It‘s part of the process, but wow… it can be a wild ride.

The most rewarding part of being an artist is simply do what I love. It means even more when that passion gets recognized, like being chosen as a finalist in competitions or having the chance to exhibit my work in different countries. And the fact that I‘ve been able to do all that without spending much, thanks to a few wins along the way, just makes it feel even more meaningful and encouraging.