Back Talk: A Convesation with Caia Koopman

June 15, 2012 | in Juxtapoz

Caia Koopman has emerged as one of lowbrow’s preeminent female artists. With a well-rounded background from her years spent obtaining her BA in Fine arts from UC Santa Cruz, to her time spent in the skateboarding and snowboarding scenes, Caia’s environment has both molded and provided an eclectic background that makes her paintings come to life. She opens works with Sarah Joncas (our conversation with Sarah here) at Thinkspace Gallery this Saturday, June 16.

With her fine detail for beauty, inclinations toward nature, and collectiveness of the female spirit, Caia has quickly become one of the quintessential artists fully encompassing the elegance, strengths, and vulnerabilities of femininity.

1. One reason you make art:

t's more fun than doing other stuff and because I failed calculus, and that was because my psycho college roommate stole my calculous book. Thank you psycho college roommate.

2. The last good movie you saw:

True Romance.

3. Something you’ve always wanted to do, but have yet to:

Heli-boarding! I really, really, really want to arrive at the top of a mountain via a helicopter and get fresh tracks in powder all day, someday....

4. Favorite country or city visited:

Amsterdam, I love the Dutch, we're rad.

5. A few words that sum up your philosophy on life:

Ummm...don't speed check cuz you won't clear the gap? Why do they always have to leave giant death gap to clear anyway?

6. Something you want the world to know about you:

I love my new government sponsored health insurance, this will certainly be the demise of democracy!

7. Something that annoys or frustrates you about people:

People who hippy dance at punk shows (or anywhere). People who think socialized health care is a bad idea. People who grocery shop in nasty, sweaty, work out gear, go home and take a damn shower first, gross!

8. Something that concerns you:

I'm trying really hard not to think about that stuff, but I am a little worried about the polar bears and all the glaciers melting, that would suck. I want Mini Cooper to sponcer my signature series electric Mini and solar pannels, we'll put a rad/beautiful art wrap on the car, proceeds go to saving the planet (or to paying my rent). Does anyone out there know anyone at Mini Cooper they could talk to about this?

9. Artists you admire:

Too many to name, I'm a huge fan of so many current artists, there's just a ton of talent out there, if I had piles of money I'd be a collector.

10. Favorite quote(s):

I have 3 favorite movie quotes:

“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no substitute for a good blaster at your side, kid"

"This is a snakeskin jacket! And for me it's a symbol of my individuality, and my belief in personal freedom."

"You hate people! But I love gatherings, isn't it ironic?"

11. The first record or CD you ever bought?

The last album you downloaded? Adam Ant I think? The Dandy Warhols.

12. Something you do when you’re procrastinating?

I clean and drink coffee.

13. What is your most defining characteristic?

Maybe it's perseverance or maybe it's that I spill a lot?

14. What is your greatest fear?

Public speaking.

15. The moment you realized you were an ‘artist’:

When I failed Calculus in college I had to change my math major to something else.

16. Your greatest quality:

I'm pretty good at painting and snowboarding but by quality you probably mean something more core like ummmm.....I can make a mean grilled turkey and cheese sandwich!

17. Something you wish you could change or alter about yourself:

I wish I could speak eloquently on subjects I'm passionate about, but then I probably wouldn't have had to express myself on paper so nix that, I wish I had magical powers.