STRONG BEAUTY
Runway Gallery artist Belinda Frikh tells us about her love of drawing and how powerful women influence her work
BELINDA FRIKH studied art at L’école Supérieure d’art in Annecy, then the École d’arts Appliqués in Lyon. In 1996, she moved to London. Her intention was to stay for three months, but she ended up living there for 21 years, having been drawn to the buzz of the city, its cultural heritage and cosmopolitan feel.
When did you start drawing? I can’t pinpoint the exact time because, for as long I can remember, I was drawing, always drawing, to the exasperation of my parents. I drew on anything and everything: cereal boxes, books, official documents, letters from school complaining about me always drawing at school.
How would you describe your style? It’s a free-flowing mix of art nouveau, Pre-raphaelite and a touch of 1980s glamour. Why are women the focus of your work?
When I visualise the female form, I see a different code of beauty: a wit, a certain mannerism, a composure, a unique imperfection, a smouldering look, a trailblazing attitude. I find these attributes in many female characters in literature, in strong cinematic female leads and in historical heroines.
Tell us about your influences? My French background has, absolutely, inspired me. I’ve named most of my ladies after French heroines. My first ideas came from French books, movies and magazines, such as the artist Edmond Kiraz, who, for years, illustrated the magazine Jours de France. I also look to artists including Alphonse Mucha, William Morris, René Gruau, Erté and Milo Manara. My eyes are mainly drawn to the past. Fashion, too, has been a great influence. I wanted to be a fashion illustrator when I was a kid, then later on I worked as an in-house illustrator for many fashion designers. I have worked in the past for commercial clients like Bonds in Australia, Topshop, MTV and Levi’s, but I am now working with galleries and hotels and I take private commissions. BUY ONLINE AT RUNWAY GALLERY Owning a piece of art is as easy as clicking a button with online venture Runway Gallery. Showcasing a range of fashion-focused works from celebrated artists, runway-gallery.com enables you to buy original prints for your home.