Joseph Kraft has been an artist practically all his life.
The Illinois native and Ukrainian Village resident's love of art has taken him to many places. His latest big move was more professional than geographical, as he left his ceramics-related post at Hyde Park Art Center to concentrate fully on drawing and printmaking—although that may change down the line.
Preparing for several upcoming events—including Chicago's Renegade Craft Fair, happening May 20-21—he talked with Windy City Times during a Zoom conversation about a range of topics, including struggles, his college choice and activism.
This conversation was edited for length and clarity.
Windy City Times: It seems like you became interested in art at an early age, like a lot of artists.
Joseph Kraft: Yeah. I always joke that art chose me and that I didn't choose it. The only thing I chose to do, unfortunately, was stick with it. [Smiles] I say that sarcastically, of course.
You just have to be yourself with whatever you choose—and know that you can't do it on your own. So, yeah, I was always creative as a kid and engaged with the world on a visual level. I have a passion with working with my hands. That sense of curiosity never really left.
For some people, there's the reality of trying to figure out what to do in life and make decisions that [benefit us] financially. Those decisions can often get in the way of doing what you want to do. I often focus on doing what I want to do. Ultimately, you get to a point where you're either all in or all out.
WCT: True—and your love of art took you to a school I honestly had never heard of before: Alfred University [in New York state].
JK: I always followed my gut. If I stumble upon something and it feels good, I stick with it; if it doesn't, I'll go down a different path. So after graduating high school, I went to a community college and it happened to have a really good ceramics program. I fell in love with [the material]; while my career has shifted and ceramics isn't necessarily the driving force [right now], it led me to where I am today.
I was at this community college for a number of years and Alfred University is a school with a well-known program. So, on a whim, I applied there at the last minute as a transfer student. I went there for two years and finished my undergraduate degree there; it was a really prolific time. I'm indebted to those two years there.
WCT: It sounds like your career, like most people's lives, is an evolution. With that being said, do you foresee your career changing in the some other way?
JK: Oh, yeah. I've always made it a point to never quit learning within my artistic career. I'm constantly interested in new processes and different materials, to a degree. Now, I have to be pretty strategic with what I'm doing because it needs to bring money in.
With that being said, work in my illustrations—abstract shapes—can be translated very easily to other materials. For example, I'd love to see some of my abstracted prints be turned into public furniture. And I feel like that will truly happen one day. But I've had to learn the importance of patience with a career like this because nothing happens overnight. You just have to plant seeds and something will grow from the—but that can be tough if you need money. Or you're on Instagram looking at other artists who are doing projects, but they're also on Instagram looking at your projects. It's like everyone's flexing at the same time. [Smiles]
WCT: Do you all find yourselves supporting each other?
JK: Yeah—honestly, Chicago has been so supportive. My experience has been unique because I was working in art centers for almost a decade—and they're epicenters so they're [basically] like-minded communities.
Also, if there's something you're interested and you don't know how to do it, there's somebody in this city who can help you. You need to be polite, though—giving your time is what is called free consulting.
WCT: What sorts of stereotypes that you have to battle, as an artist?
JK: One of the number-one stereotypes is that we're just having fun, as artists. It's not, even if I'm following my creative pursuit and that's been fulfilling. It's a struggle, it's difficult, and people don't want to pay you and think you do free labor all the time.
WCT: People don't want to pay you?
JK: Oh, yeah. Some people just don't like paying artists—and it kind of circles back to that idea of free consulting. I've gotten to a point where I'm secure with what I'm worth. If you want to pay my fee, that's fine; if it's too much for you, find someone else. You don't want to undersell yourself—which can go back to society and its view of creatives and their worthiness.
The other thing is that it takes intense discipline to do this every day. No one's telling me to be somewhere every day. I have to create my own day-to-day, which can be a huge challenge and requires an insane amount of discipline.
I do like working for myself. My dad had a family business and I got to watch him be his own boss. That really captivated me.
WCT: Does your work have a unifying theme?
JK: Yes. I try to create some imagery that represents a universal truth or experience that people can immediately relate to.
WCT: Switching gears, it really seems to be a crucial time to be part of the LGBTQ+ community. For you, what is it like to be LGBTQ+, or queer, in today's America?
JK: First, I think that question is different for everybody. How one presents themself is different for each person depending on, for example, the color of your skin or where you fall in the spectrum. I hate to say this, but there are seemingly more "acceptable" queer people.
I'm very proud to be part of the queer community and I wouldn't want to be anything else than it. And I think it's more important than ever to be mindful of all queer people—and to support them.
I participated in the Queer Art Party [recently] in Sleeping Village; in order to be a vendor there, you had to identify as queer. It was such a special event—and there were all different types of queer people in one space. It felt so supportive.
WCT: A lot of artists consider themselves to be activists as well. Do you consider yourself to be an activist?
JK: It's funny you bring that up. I was listening to a podcast about Lana Del Rey's new album. They were saying how we're living in a time of "artivists." But because you're an artist doesn't mean that you have to speak up about politics. At the end of the day, you're making art; it's art for art's sake.
But the line has become blurry and everyone can have a platform. That being said, over the last couple of years, I've really focused my art on being a gay man—and I've found it really rewarding and important.
WCT: Is there anything you wanted to add?
JK: Yes. You asked a question about where my art could do and I said something about public furniture. Over the past couple of years, I've gotten into murals—and that has been some of the most rewarding work I've done. Murals are public and are for everybody; everyone gets to experience them and create their own stories in them. That makes me feel really good. Continuing my work in the public sphere is something I want to do.
More information about Joseph Kraft and his art is at www.josephkraft.com . The website for the Renegade Craft Fair, taking place May 20-21 in Andersonville, is www.renegadecraft.com/fair/chicago-spring/ .
