We have another installment in our very popular Meet the Artist series where we chat to some of our very talented artists here at Inkwell.
There is a plethora of skills here and such an exciting and wide variety of artwork is created using all sorts of materials.
This month we talk to Natalia whose work is both innovative and contemporary.
Meet Natalia
Q. How long have you been drawing, painting or being creative?
Being a quiet child I used to sit under the dinning table of my grandparents’ house sewing from bits of materials, drawing or reading fairy tales. However I have turned towards art more seriously after an uncompleted degree in Art History for about five years.
Studying Art History for three years supports me with theoretical background and I can understand my own work better. I completed an Access to HE Art & Design Course at the Leeds College of Art focusing on jewellery and design. My final piece was a set of three necklaces published in the 2010-2011 catalogue of the college.
Q. What are your favourite materials and what is your preferred art form?
I started my creative journey with heavy and over decorated chainmaille jewellery but during my college year I turned towards fibre and fell in love with felting as wool has endless possibilities for creating. Recently I discovered free crocheting and I’m hooked on it. I would refer to myself as a sculptor working with cosy, soft and warm fibres. I also like drawing and painting just for fun.
Autumn Berries necklace, 2008 (copper, glass)
Growing Plant no 3
Q. Who or what inspires you?
Organic, ongoing forms in nature are the main inspiration such as lichen, coral reef, colourful sea creatures. Influential artists are Antonio Gaudí, Ernst Haeckel and Natalya Pinchuk.
I also like the odd and unusual. Probably that’s why I’m collecting and using found objects. Surrealism, Neosurrealism made an effect on me as I let the subconscious mind to do its own job when I’m creating. Christian Iconography, Symbols, the work of Hieronymus Bosch, Victorian mourning jewellery and ‘memento mori’ also have an effect on my work.
Felted Creature no 3
Q. Describe your style and method of working.
My style is quite whimsical and flamboyant. I like over decorating, getting lost in details but I also like simplicity but grandiosity. Enlarged organic, ongoing forms describe my work. Choosing different types of wool and combining them gives an interesting textural surface for the pieces. I also keen to play with colour combinations, being not afraid of using different colours. In my artistic world there’s no such a thing as too much colours.
Felted Creature no 4 in progress
Q. How does being creative help your well being?
Creativity is a kind of safe and peaceful little island on the stormy and dangerous sea. I still need to work a lot on my confidence as an artist but I’m learning how to build it step-by-step.
Ulrich - Yarn Sculpture
Q. Has Inkwell helped you on your creative journey and aided you towards recovery?
I’m a newbie at Inkwell but it’s helping me from the very first time. The support from Inkwell tutors and artists is leading me towards self-acceptance and creative playfulness in my art. As an example I wanted to learn crocheting from childhood but I always failed because of a block. After a couple of weeks at Inkwell I could break down this block and taking part of a group exhibition with my curious crocheted sculpture, Ulrich. I’m really pleased with being at Inkwell, getting encouragement from talented and desperate artists and tutors.
