Interview with Nathalie Southworth
O-A: What is art to you? Is creating an urge, necessity or maybe an incontournable, essential way of life?
Nathalie Southworth: I have been born a very creative person and creativity is an essential part of my being:
My mind is always full of ideas and creating something is an urge within me. Creating works of art is one way of using this gift but it could also being used in other ways such as creating a nice space, writing an essay, finding a solution to a difficult work situation etc. I have chosen to create works of art as I can also mentally express myself. Talking and expressing myself in words is not one of my strengths but I can fully express myself in a painting. The beauty of it is, that in a painting one can express oneselves so much more profoundly as the unconcious is part of the creating act. Especially when it comes to more spiritual themes which are also an essential part of my being. By creating art one can occasionally feel at one with the universe.
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O-A: Who or what inspired you artistically; a person, artist, event, experience…
Nathalie Southworth: Travelling through the African continent on a seven month trip triggered something inside me. The beatuy of the continent and the simple way of living – back to the roots, life and death experiences and magic. Also the simple esthetic beauty of shapes in African textiles, on house paintings, art and everyday utilitarian tools… Aditionally, in spirit; the fact that there is some magic in the African universe.
O-A: What was the most interesting statement you heard about your work?
Nathalie Southworth: In 2014 I have been contacted by the romanian intellectual, Constantin Severin. He is the creator of a new art concept: Archetypal Expressionism. He chose my work and me as an artist as a representative (among others) of his concept. Understanding my art as part of this universal concept gave me a much deeper insight into my work.
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O-A: How do you search for inspiration and themes for your work?
Nathalie Southworth: Nowadays I don‘t search. All I need is time and space in my studio. I enter my studio, reconnect with my paintings and themes and try picking up where I left the studio last time. All I need then is a flow state and the painting starts happening. Occasionally, I would collect an interesting photo, shape or colour from an art book, history book, magazin or the internet and hang it up in my studio.
O-A: How has your art changed over time? Why?
Nathalie Southworth: By changing as a person and hopefully evolving over the years, my art has changed with me. The themes and sources are the same but there would come different aspects into it. My early work was morw playful and now it is more spiritual. I am not planning where it goes – I just live my life.
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O-A: What do your usually talk about with your collectors?
Nathalie Southworth: I don‘t really enjoy expressing art in words so I might talk about my inspiration and techniques. Generally, I would like art lovers to have their own connection and emotions with an artwork. As there is always an unconcions part showing up in an artwork it might connect with a collectors unconcious and it is not easy to put that into words. But a piece of art can, in the lucky event, reach a person much more profundly.
Interview with Nathalie Southworth
