Allegra Bick-Maurischat is a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School in San Jose and a reverse transfer student who came to De Anza College from New York University.
Bick-Maurischat’s works have been featured in a variety of exhibits including The San Jose Museum of Modern Art and U.S Capitol Building in Washington.
La Voz Weekly: What is your major? And what made you come to De Anza from NYU?
Bick-Maurischat: My major at NYU was in Studio Art with a portfolio concentration in Drawing and a plan to minor in Social and Cultural Analysis.
I transferred to De Anza because tuition costs increased this past year and there was no way I could finance my entire education solely on scholarships and student loans.
By the time I planned to graduate from NYU, I would be $120,000 in debt for student loans, and after a year into my decision, I realized that however much I loved the school, and the art program, the long-term cost was just too high.
LV: What got you interested in art?
BM: That’s a tough question, because I really believe that the desire to create is just something that comes inherently to me.
I have been scribbling and painting on practically everything I could get my hands on since I could hold a crayon!
Art for me is just something that can help illustrate and explain everything I see and think about the world.
LV: How would you describe your style of art?
BM: My style of art is basically just an expression of my impressions of the external, material world. I generally use a lot of form inspired by nature to encourage a visual dialogue that can both challenge and connect with the viewer. In short, most of my work is abstract, but based on very real emotions and perceptions.
LV: What is your favorite medium?
BM: My favorite medium this past year has actually been wood, which I really got into during my sculpture class at NYU. But most of my work is some combination of graphite, ink and watercolor on canvas.
LV: Who inspired you as an artist?
BM: Life, my high school art teacher, Mrs. Zamora and Rico Gatson, my sculpture professor at NYU.
Rico is not only the most incredible artist I have ever met, but he shed new light on the entire process of art making for me. He’s brilliant.
LV: Do you plan to make art your profession or is it just a hobby you are really good at?
BM: I am pretty sure every serious art student dreams of being able to make a career out of their passion, and I am no exception.
LV: Are you taking any art classes at De Anza right now?
BM: No. I am primarily focused on getting my GE out of the way right now.
LV: Has any of your work been featured in an exhibit or other public venue?
BM: Yes. My work has been shown in San Jose Museum of Modern Art, the BlueCoat Corporate headquarters, the San Jose Downtown Doors Competition [a public art exhibition], the Washington Square East gallery in New York City and the U.S Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
LV: What is the name, medium and date of the artwork you included? What made you choose this piece?
BM: This piece is called “Critical Thinking”, 2009, colored pencil on vellum, 35×50. Its one of my favorite pieces from this past year.