Q&A WITH PAINTER SHARON RUTH MOSES
Q&A with Painter Sharon Ruth Moses
SHARON RUTH MOSES IS A FINE-ART GRADUATE AND PAINTER. HER ARTWORKS FOCUS ON IDENTITY AND GAZE, MERGING TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL ART FORMS.
Sharon Ruth Moses has earned her spot in the Turbine Art Fair 2018 RMB Talent Unlocked Artist Career Development Programme and will be exhibiting her artworks at theTurbine Art Fair this July. Moses also has a studio exchange for the rest of the year, at One Eloff, Joziburg Lane in Johannesburg, where visitors can expect to see experimental, artworks. InFlight recently caught up with her to learn more about her artistic process. InFlight (IF): Describe your artistry in three words. Sharon Moses (SM): Minimal. Incongruous. Bold.
IF: What do you wish to convey through your focus on portraits, and issues of identity and gaze?
SM: There is always a sense of discomfort and voyeurism
when viewing portraits of a seemingly intimate setting. I want to highlight this sense of discomfort, and in so doing, make the viewer aware of the presence and power of their gaze.
IF: Many of your works are of women. Is there a particular reason for this?
SM: As a female artist I initially tried to stay away from depicting women, before realising that the female form in art has traditionally been a powerful vessel for problematic forms of the gaze. I suppose I want to do my part in reclaiming the gaze and reflecting that back on the viewer.
IF: What is your creative process like?
SM: Generally, I will conduct a process of researching and writing, after which I will create or find reference material for a new work. I often digitally collage my work and manipulate my source material to create different or unexpected compositions. I like to experiment with adding bright, bold colours in order to help me plan possible palettes and colour combinations.
IF: What do you enjoy about painting as a medium? SM: What I most enjoy about painting is that I am both an active participant in the process of creating a work, and a witness. Watching a painting progress, moulding it from a loose sketch into a finished work, is satisfying as well as challenging. (Although, I never feel as though my works are truly finished.)
IF: How did you develop as an artist?
SM: I started learning about art as a teenager – I got started as a digital artist and learned as much as I could online. Later, my academic studies really broadened my perspectives on art, and introduced me to traditional painting as my medium of choice. Following graduation from university, I found myself developing from exhibition to exhibition, creating work that aligned with my own thought processes and experiences. Development as an artist is an ongoing process, one that I am still grappling with today.
IF: What has been the best investment you’ve made as an artist?
SM: I want to say my collection of pigments and paints . . . But on a more abstract level, definitely my art education. Being
Find a mentor early on in your career. Participate in as many exhibitions as you can and don’t fear rejection – it will happen a lot.
part of an art institution is a great way to learn, grow and evolve as an artist. It’s not the only way, but it is a valuable experience nonetheless.
IF: What motivates you?
SM: I feel less that I am motivated to create art as much as I am compelled to create art. I find that I am most myself and most engaged when I am painting.
IF: What does creativity mean to you?
SM: Hard work. I definitely wasn’t born incredibly creative and I had to work exceptionally hard at it – and I still do.
IF: Where do you draw inspiration from?
SM: I find that I draw a lot of inspiration from my personal life experiences. In this way, art can be quite a therapeutic process for me.
IF: Best tip you’ve ever received?
SM: Stay true to your vision.
IF: What advice would you give aspiring artists?
SM: Find a mentor early on in your career. Participate in as many exhibitions as you can and don’t fear rejection – it will happen a lot. Remember that, while you may hate a certain piece of work, other people may adore it. Be open to multiple viewpoints, but always trust your agency as the artist.
Moses will be among the talented artists participating in the TurbineArtFair2018(www.turbineartfair.co.za)andshowcasing a body of work.The event, taking place from 12th to 15th July, will house galleries of the best artworks from across the country in Newtown, Johannesburg. Moses is currently working on experimental art, using new materials and media, including a series of ink paintings on silk and drafting film.
For more information, please visit www.sharonmoses.com, or email sharonruthart@gmail.com. www.facebook.com/sharonmosesart www.instagram.com/sharonmosesartist