"Why I do,.. what I do.."



“Creating art helps me wrap my mind around difficult issues. I have always liked to solve problems but I have no solution for the “Big” problems in life such as Genocide, Prejudice, War, Starvation and Poverty, ...so I create my own problems.
A bucket of plaster, blocks of firewood, a lump of clay, start off as a challenge. I then make mistake after mistake, until I work though the problems I have created.
The shape of the sculpture depends on what I’m attempting to project onto it and the limitations of the available material. Sometimes the material is pliable such as clay , other times unyielding such as found concrete.
The physical size, material and placement of my work is also indicative of working without a studio and using what resources I have at my disposal. Some pieces I have shaped with a chain saw and grinders on the back of my truck, other work is simply stacked on the lawn, or sculpted on a air conditioning unit that serves as a bench.
I tend to think of my product in colossal terms just like the ‘Big” problems I have no answer for. Despite the works dimension, I attempt to breath large proportion into it.
This process allows me to engage in world problems in a very tangible way."

Biography

Kilian was born Thomas Albert Kilian Jr. in South Amboy New Jersey in 1967. He grew up in the Triangle Research Park Area of North Carolina. At age eighteen he was selected for a Scientific Expedition (Operation Raleigh) that was the brain child of Prince Charles of Whales. He has traveled extensively in Tasmania Australia, Jamaica, Indonesia, and throughout the United States. He pursued Theological Studies in Elizabeth City NC where he met his wife, Sandie. As a ordained Minister, Kilian has preached at churches within three states. He studied Art at the College of the Albemarle, has held Craftsmen jobs in both wood and plastics. executive jobs for national newspapers and technical positions for Applied Medical Technologies and remains in public speaking. Full time devotion to art has fostered creativity in various mediums including surface design for Formica®, Public Art presentation for Cary NC’s Dog Park, In 2008, designed the first trophy to bear the name of  the famous Composer Max Reger which was presented at Miami's Lincoln Arts Center. Most Recent works included in a 15 state exhibit entitled "15 for Darfur" showcasing a large bronze monument entitles "One" to mark the race Killings in Sudan and 15 works offered as Giclee Prints to under gird the efforts of Sudan Africa Mission to build a Hospital in Aweil Sudan. Kilian resides in Columbia NC with his wife Sandie who home schools their twin children. Kilian is publisher of IBXarts.org, a web collaboration aimed at helping independent artist have a voice in his region, and author of "Off the Palette" a column published in the Tampa Florida publication "Life in Art".  Kilian is currently launching his work towards public art commissions and seeking a patron for the monument "One"- for Darfurian relief.

What is Art?

 It has been my experience that “Art” is neither hobby or profession which is pursued for mere enjoyment, but a process, a work of translation. The process of Art telegraphs into a language that transcends spoken word or written text. Just as a linguist will use varied dialects and languages to convey a message to their audience, I find myself using varied mediums and palettes, whether wood, clay, metal, digital, or found object, cloth, plaster or plastic, the conventions of “transferable style” mean very little. What is important is that my medium choice is the proper conduit for the particular concept, idea, or value that I’m presenting at the moment.”