INTERVIEW
MAGO
PHOTOGRAPHY
KEVIN SINCLAIR
Zarebinski is an abstract painter based in New York City. His work focuses on scale, monumentalism, and obsession with lines. His visual identity is embedded in geometric shapes, forced into minimalistic forms while endlessly searching for simplicity and elegance. His minimal painting style is unapologetically bold yet poetic with traces to Scandinavian mid-century aesthetics. His work carries a “less is always more” attitude into painting.
We kept our correspondence short and sweet with 32 questions communicated via text message and he responded in kind with swift and concise answers.
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Mago __ What does your work aim to say?
Zarebinski __ Simplicity is the ultimate elegance.
Mago __What's your work background?
Zarebinski __ Still life photography.
Mago __ How have you developed your career?
Zarebinski __ Covid gave me extra time, so I decided to start painting.
Mago __ How do you seek out opportunities?
Zarebinski __ Social media
Mago __ How do you price your work?
Zarebinski __ Based on work time and the size of the piece.
Mago __ Which current art world trends are you following?
Zarebinski __ NFT's
Mago __ Who are you, and what do you do?
Zarebinski __ I'm a Polish-born abstract minimal painter based in NYC.
Mago __ What role do artists have in society?
Zarebinski __ Monumental - artist provides a perspective.
Mago __ Has your pallet changed over time?
Zarebinski __ Yes, I'm ready to add colors now.
Mago __ What work do you most enjoy doing?
Zarebinski __ Painting lines.
Mago __ What's your strongest memory of your childhood?
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Jacket and pants COS, shirt J. LINDEBERG.
Zarebinski __My art teacher told me I couldn't paint.
Mago __ What themes do you pursue?
Zarebinski __ Minimalism
Mago __ What's your scariest experience?
Zarebinski __ Having a window land on my head.
Mago __ What's your favorite artwork?
Zarebinski __ Valley Curtain by Christo / 1974
Mago __ What's your most embarrassing moment?
Zarebinski __ Showing my first painting.
Mago __ What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
Zarebinski __ Photography
Mago __ Why art?
Zarebinski __ It's powerful.
Mago __ What is an artistic outlook on life?
Zarebinski __ Absorb everything and never stop learning.
Mago __ What memorable responses have you heard about your paintings.
Zarebinski __ A friend said my paintings look like I've been painting for years. I only started in February 2021.
Mago __ What do you dislike about the art world?
Zarebinski __ Limited opportunities
Mago __ Should art be funded?
Zarebinski __ Every artist would use their Medici for sure.
Propinquity Acrylic on Canvas 30in x 40in, 2021. Opposite: Intuit II, 48in x 48in Acrylic on Canvas Oak Frame. Insistence Acrylic on Canvas 48in x 60in, 2021 White Oak Frame.
Mago __ What role does arts funding have?
Zarebinski __ Letting artists focus on work instead of worrying about making ends meet.
Mago __ What makes you angry?
Zarebinski __ My kids waking me up at 6 AM.
Mago __ What research do you do?
Zarebinski __ Instagram
Mago __ Name something you love, and why?
Zarebinski __ Thai food - the incredible mix of salty/sweet/savory and hot
Mago __ Name something you don't love and why?
Zarebinski __ Intolerance.
Mago __ What is your dream project?
Zarebinski __ Being in MOMA
Mago __ Favorite or most inspirational place?
Zarebinski __ My studio
Mago __ What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
Zarebinski __ Slow down.
Mago __ What's your goal?
Zarebinski __ Exhibitions
Mago __ What role does social media play in your work or career?
Zarebinski __ These days - it plays a central role.
Mago __ Any opinion on NFTs and the future of art?
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Zarebinski __ Crypto art has brought much-needed patronage for the skills where work can't be forged, and the artist gets a royalty every time artwork changes ownership. It's a beautiful and healthy ecosystem we are witnessing growing.
Photography Kevin Sinclair, Creative Director David Gargiulo, Interview Mago, Talent Zarbinski