Q & A with Ursula De Kretser

How did you discover your love for your art?

My desire and fascination for creating art came as a child sitting on my aunt’s knee as she worked in her studio at our family home. I attended a Steiner primary school, where creative arts are a focus for everyday work. In high school I excelled in art, being chosen along with 30 other students from across the Northern Territory to exhibit at the Darwin Museum and Art Gallery in 2013.

What is it that you particularly enjoy about it?

Creating installations that are atypical, intimately shared environments, where I hope to build a life connection between the objects and viewer/s. Through my practice I am able to encourage others and express my own acknowledgement and appreciation for the concepts.

Do you dabble in other creative media as well?

Yes I really enjoy printmaking and created a series of prints that accompanied the Australian Mangrove Leaves. I also enjoy drawing and I think most artists do need to use drawing in their work to some degree for planning and design.

What has your favourite work been so far?

That’s a really hard question to answer, each body of work has been driven by a different purpose, with different forms of creation. It’s almost like asking who is your favourite child, there isn’t an answer.

Is your family supportive of your endeavours?

I am very lucky to have a really strong, loving and supportive family, as well as extended family and friends of the family who are all very supportive. I am very thankful to them; where I am now and who I am now has been greatly influenced by the special people in my life.

What is your plan from here in regards to your art?

I have recently finished my Bachelor of Creative Arts with a double major in Visual Arts and Music and am now enjoying time in the studio as an emerging artist. I have been working on a commission and my next solo show, to be held in April next year at No Comply Gallery. I was also honoured to be award the Bellmaine French Appreciation Travelling Scholarship in my second year at USQ. This scholarship gives me the opportunity to travel to France and participate in masterclasses/workshops, residencies, mentorship and exhibitions over a year-long period.