We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hadar Kleiman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hadar, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Even though I have an MFA and focused on Fine Art in both my undergraduate and graduate programs, I learned many of my practical skills after graduating. I was fortunate to have some amazing faculty, and my studio classes provided basic tutorials on tools and materials, along with access to great facilities. However, both schools I attended placed a strong emphasis on the conceptual aspect of art-making. I soon realized that to bring certain ideas to life, I would need to dive deeper into research to discover the right techniques.
As a student, I took advantage of the opportunity to experiment and explore different departments, spending a significant amount of time in the wood shop. Interestingly, I first worked with clay only after graduation when I joined a group called Clay Days, initiated by my schoolmate Matt Goldberg. What started as a casual get-together in the clay studio grew into a popular community event in San Francisco. It was through this group that I developed a passion for ceramics. Later, I took a public education class with Cathy Lu, an amazing ceramicist in the Bay Area, where I learned to make plaster molds and other ceramic techniques.
One of the most challenging skills I acquired was making Terrazzo, which required a special setup and materials. To learn, I reached out to experienced terrazzo experts who had worked in industrial flooring. After many calls, I finally found someone willing to share the steps with me, and I supplemented this knowledge with YouTube tutorials.
The skill I use most frequently now is flocking, which involves coating an object with fabric “powder” to create a velvety texture. I mastered this technique through trial and error, and after watching countless videos of hobbits flocking jewelry boxes in their garages and flocking many different objects myself, I finally feel confident in my ability.
Knowing what I know now, I could have sped up my learning process by seeking out more hands-on workshops and mentorship opportunities earlier. The most essential skills for me have been a willingness to experiment, perseverance, and the ability to seek out and utilize resources effectively. The main obstacles to learning more were the lack of direct instruction in certain techniques during my formal education and the challenge of finding reliable sources of information outside of an academic setting.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Hadar Kleiman, and I am an artist based in Brooklyn, New York. I studied at the San Francisco Art Institute and spent several years in California before moving to Bushwick, where I now work from my home studio.
My artistic journey began with a deep passion for exploring various mediums, leading me to develop skills in ceramics, woodworking, and terrazzo. Currently, I focus on creating affordable design pieces, including a series of customizable mirror frames.
What sets my work apart is the blend of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. I take pride in attention to detail and the ability to create unique, personalized items that are one-of-a-kind.
One of my proudest achievements is making art that holds personal meaning for its owners. For those interested in my work, know that each piece is handmade and crafted with care. Anyone interested can DM me on instagram.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
In my view, society does not adequately support artists, making it nearly impossible to survive solely on art income. The support for artists is minimal, and we live in a society that often doesn’t value enough or see art as a necessity.
Having an art degree does not guarantee a job in the art field, and the competition is fierce. Society could help by allocating more funding for artists and art programs, subsidizing studio spaces and materials, and offering more employment opportunities for art majors.
Artists often work independently and lack unions or protections, which means we frequently face challenges such as galleries taking 50% or more of sales, collectors not paying on time, and other financial issues. If artists had stronger rights and protections, it would greatly improve our ability to sustain our practice and contribute to the cultural landscape.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Freedom. For me, that is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist. There’s certainly a lot of stress and uncertainty in this path, but whenever I imagine committing to a different career, I know I wouldn’t have the same agency to make independent choices. As an artist, I get to travel frequently, see art, participate in residencies around the world, and meet other creatives. Although I have to hustle and juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet, I have the space and mental capacity to work on my ideas and execute my vision, which is incredibly rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hadarkleiman.com
- Instagram: @hadarimk
Image Credits
Studio portrait is taken by Xiao Wang, and some sculptures were shot by Alex Peterson.