We recently connected with Julian Voss-andreae and have shared our conversation below.

Julian, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

At age 19 I painted a self-portrait in front of a mirror, with only one candle for lighting. I started with a pencil drawing and then used water colors and, finally, gouache. After 5 hours I was done. I had been in a flow state during the time of painting, without any conscious thought. All I did was looking at every detail and reproducing it on the paper, as faithfully as I could. Despite the lack of conscious control, the image at the end did not look random, not at all. It felt coherent. At that point I decided to become an artist without really knowing when or how. But witnessing the magic of creation, in a state of mind that is very different to our everyday, ‘alert, problem solving’ state, was deeply inspirational and I knew that I wanted to devote my life to that.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started out in my youth as a painter and later switched to physics. I studied at the universities of Berlin and Edinburgh, and did my graduate research in Vienna in the lab of 2022 Physics Nobel Prize laureate Anton Zeilinger, having the great fortune to participate in a seminal experiment in foundational quantum physics. My first-hand experience of quantum physics and the light it sheds on the enigmatic nature of reality shattered everything I thought I knew about the workings of the universe. That experience informed my path ever since and my desire for my work is to instill this same sense of wonder to serve as a seed for growth in the viewer and society at large.

Twenty-four years ago, I moved to the US to be with a woman I had fallen in love with. I decided to stay (she later became my wife and we have four children together) and enrolled in Art College. After graduation I was already in my early thirties. Despite that late start and the birth of our first two children at that time, I decided to dedicate my life to becoming a professional sculptor. Against all odds I was able to support my growing family with my artwork within some years. I have been able to expand my sculpture business steadily over the years and now run my own studio in Portland (Oregon) with a team of about ten, fabricating works that are shown and sold all over the world. I feel deeply humbled and incredibly fortunate for this.

My sculptures all grow out of ideas I have developed over the years, mostly through observation of nature and culture, of myself and others, and of the natural sciences. One reason for my desire to share the works is that they are to some degree both the means and the fruits of my own learning. I feel that what has benefited me in my own growth has the potential to benefit others in theirs.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I can do and learn what I want to do or learn. I am my own boss.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Be authentic

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.julianvossandreae.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianvossandreae/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063704974632
• Twitter: https://x.com/JulianVossAndr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/julianvossandreae