We has a chance to chat with the artist know as Sepp of Vienna. Sepp Engelmaier
comes from the northern part of Lower Austria.
He studied graphic art at the "Graphische" in Vienna, where he lives now and works with photography and as independent graphic designer and artist.
TCB: Did you always want to be artist?
Sepp: I studied graphic design in Vienna. Since my childhood, drawing has been my biggest passion and strength - whether in kindergarten with cars or the fascination of the 1950s; to prevailing in religious studies in the catholic boarding school Schulbrder, scenes of suffrage of the crucifixion of Christ with muscular Roman soldiers. Being what is called a late-bloomer, I had my coming-out at 24, when I quickly found my ties to leather and SM.
TCB: How did you get started?
Sepp: As one of the founder from the Vienna leather & motorbike community, I had designed some things for the Club. The logos, flyers for public relations, monthly news, X-Mas cards and many others. For friends of the LMC Vienna, as well as other international leather clubs and organizations, I have produced numerous works. In 1997 I started drawings in my typical art. The first order comes from a bar in Milano Italy and than the works began to roll. Especially for friends of men, bears, leather, rubber, uniforms, and SM, I have created a small exclusive Fine Art-Edition from my works.
TCB: What attracts you to a model?
Sepp: To be a man! A masculine man. Some special in a face - the chin, angular with a dimple, thick bearded; the nose - I like a boxer or catcher nose; the eyes; short hair or a bald head; a big hairy chest, strong and hairy arms - also I like a hairy back . . . ok! Ok, I will come down. ;-)
TCB: Does the City of Vienna (or its people and cultures) influence your body of work?
Sepp: I like to live in Vienna. Its safe, a little be quiet, but full of real good looking guys in the streets. Berlin its fine for fun, hot and fucky. Full of life.
There are a lot of homoerotic elements to your work, as well as you are often featured in gay publications how has this impacted you as an artist?
Unfortunately not to much ;-)
TCB: How/when did you begin working in the fetish scene? What attracts you to this genre as an artist?
Sepp: In the 80this after my "jeans" and "clone" time I found my way and my home in to the leather scene. The leather community in Vienna was and is now very small, so the next step was to go to a mixed SM group. I organized mixed fetish parties - this was a very, very hot and horny time. So my fantasies come true.
TCB: What is your typical model type?
Sepp: I like muscles. Also I like a big man with muscles. I did one of my pieces of art for the Vienna Bear Party. Two guys, one dark hairy, more like a beauty bear, the other bigger with blond hair. I like dark bearded men but also with blond or red beard. Woof!
TCB: Do you have a favorite piece?
Sepp: Yes, that of my partners ;-) Or you mean piece of art? Yes, one of my last one. I gave him the title: "Cabin No.5" with the subtitle "the scent of intimacy". The scene is based on a public toilet, so that refer to these special smell. I’m, I was a great lover of these places, but now some are closed. But this time is over.
For my exhibition invitation, I get a detail of this motif.
TCB: What new projects are in the works?
Sepp: One is a image for a special BDSM group, a other for young bears and any for my next exhibitions. My next is at FolsomEurope, in September 2008 in Berlin at Mister B Shop and the following to LeatherPride in Amsterdam, also at the store by Mister B.
TCB: If our readers are interested in learning more about you and your work where can they find more info?
Sepp: Any you can read on my website: www.sepp-of-vienna.at
There is plenty about me - my art, projects and more. And when you are interesting about my other, non gay male erotic art, please have a look at: http://members.vienna.at/sepp-engelmaier/
