When is a pretzel not a pretzel? When it’s the lotus-splayed legs of a Buddha. Speaking of flowers, have you ever noticed the way certain blossoms resemble an old-fashioned gramophone? Welcome to the world of 17-year-old Kristián Mensa a Prague high school student whose clever sketches are winning the internet.
I was first introduced to a pencil when I was about two or three years old and I fell in love with the idea of expressing myself through a blank sheet of paper.
Do you attend art school?
I’ve never really studied art but I did art while studying at school. I am focused on finishing succesfully and graduating before I choose what I want to study at university and do for a living.
When did your work start getting so much viral recognition?
I was on study abroad in Denver, Colorado in January 2015 and [while there] I decided to post my illustrations on this website called boredpanda.com. When I woke up there were more than 5,000 shares. So I was like: “This is getting serious.” And I kept posting my illustrations.
Christoph Niemann, Jean Jullien, Victor Nunes, Stephen Mennamy, Dan Cretu.
Where do you like to draw?
Anywhere where I feel calm and focused. Most of my excercise books are filled with sketches and drawings that were made during classes. (I am most productive during a math class).
Do you think you’ll make a career in art & design?
I would love to. Because art is my passion and I love it. Whenever I draw, dance or play the piano I feel an inner satisfaction inside and I know that it is what I want to do in the future.
You are also a dancer; any professional aspirations?
I practice few days a week with my crew Opatow Flavours and we as a crew or me as a solo dancer are attending dance battles and competitions. I was already competing outside of Prague in Amsterdam and LA this year.
What are you favorites among the drawings you have done?
Very hard to tell, probably those that make me and other people happy.
I think people, including me, generally like things that don’t really focus on reality but that plays with their mind. Something like books.
Have you sold any of your works?
I am currently working on an online store on my website where I will offer prints, T-Shirts and other decorational objects with my illustrations. I will be turning 18 this October which means I can be fully reliable and independent with selling stuff online.