n dot interiors getting personal with artist of the month: Kurt Pio. A discovery recently made and worth a gem. His works of art are quite remarkable and truly unlike anything else. I specifically speak of the "Diamond" collection (displayed below); where he embodies each and every little detail, leaving us mesmerised and wanting more. After all, diamonds are a girl's best friend! Scroll down for answers to our 5 questions.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

"Kurt Pio was born in Cape Town in 1977. He completed his national diploma in Interior Design at Cape Peninsula University of Technology and had a brief stint in the industry. He then went freelance, assisting the Decor Editor at VISI Magazine. Thereafter he pursued his painting career and currently works full time in his studio in Cape Town’s CBD. In 2008 he completed a millinery course at Central Saint Martins Collage in London. Kurt was a finalist in the Spier Contemporary 2010, South Africa. In May 2011 Kurt moved to Amsterdam and completed a three-month Artist in Residency program with Open Ateliers Zuid Oost. Since then, Kurt has explored a variety of techniques and themes in the visual arts. He was selected to feature at the 2013 Turbine Art Fair in Johannesburg, the Edit[ed] shop for Wanted Magazine, in the Taj Hotel, five solo exhibitions, one at the trending Woodstock Exchange, one as the opening artist at the brand new Smith Gallery in Cape Town. International Trend forecaster, Lidewij Edelkoort snapped up one of his artworks at Smith and installed it in her curated show titled Fetishism, at the Trapholt Museum of Modern Art in Kolding, Denmark. He went on to be the opening artist for the brand new Studio Dylan Thomaz in Cape Town. In September 2015 Kurt had his first international solo show at The Life is Art and Graanmarkt 13 galleries in Antwerp Belgium and has recently returned from New Orleans, USA, where his solo show sold out on opening night at Gallery Orange. 2016 has also seen him exhibiting at the Affordable Art Fair in Singapore, Otomy’s Gallery in Melbourne, Australia, and Southern Guild Gallery in Cape Town. He has received considerable coverage in prominent local interior and lifestyle magazines for the past nine years, and more recently in Belgian, German, Austrlian and USA newspapers, magazines and blogs."

In short, share how you started to develop a passion for art and what inspires you the most.

"In Primary School I had a very inspiring Art Teacher whom ignited the passion for art in me.  I also had very supportive parents that constantly filled my room with stationary and materials to be creative with.  I take Inspiration from anything especially things like travelling, social media and all the way down to a simple walk in the forest or beach."

What has been your biggest achievement so far?

"Phoning my Mom and telling her that I have sold out on opening night of my solo show in New Orleans, USA."

What is your dream project?

"To be asked to produce a painting of my choice on a super yacht, while its travelling to my favourite destinations, where I can take as long as I want to produce it and am able to take all my friends along. (The yacht has an open bar and the best sound system that money can buy)" 

Name 3 artists that you admire.

1. Andy Warhol.
2. Tracey Emin.
3. David Hockney.

[Images via Kurt Pio]