Interview
Charlotte Fowler
Charlotte is a 22 year old visual artist and painter, based in Sydney, Australia. She creates contemporary styled works and has been working on a continuous painting series entitled “Bodyscapes” since 2019. Charlotte has been studying visual arts since 2017, and is currently studying for her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Visual Culture through Curtin University in Australia.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. As a little kid I always enjoyed drawing and anything art related. It was only as I got older that I began taking art more seriously. I always wanted to do something in the visual arts field but was told that it wasn’t a steady job profession, rather it was more of a hobby. Once I graduated high school I decided to study graphic design - which was not my thing at all. I wanted to do more hands-on work, think creatively and be passionate about something.
So I made the change and began studying my diploma of visual arts and never looked back! I excelled at many techniques but I decided that painting was the one I wanted to make my main practice. I get very caught up in ideas and concepts, so painting feels almost Zen for me, I can completely zone out and create something with my whole self. Now I hold two degrees in visual arts, have a solid body of work that has been exhibited and I am continuing my studies through university.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My art glorifies and points out the beauty in imperfections of our bodies. I create the bodies, focusing on different parts or angles each time, then display them in a landscape, making them become the focus of the work. It’s all left up to personal interpretation - some may see a knee cap others may see a neck or shoulder. It’s just about encompassing the deep rooted beauty and sensuality of our bodies and ourselves. Learning that everyone’s body is a work of art.”
What would you say inspires you most?
“The human body in all it’s essence. I enjoy romanticizing the body, turning it into different things, taking into account my love for the natural world, natural landforms and landscapes that have survived for centuries. I can look at a rock formation down at the beach and instantly see perhaps a human back or a combination of shoulders and arms. The two most natural things in the world, brought together to create a sensual piece of art.”
“My art glorifies and points out the beauty in imperfections of our bodies. It’s just about encompassing the deep rooted beauty and sensuality of our bodies and ourselves. Learning that everyone’s body is a work of art.”
How would you describe your work?
“Contemporary with a little hint of Surrealism. Sometimes I create works that fit into a specific category, such as abstract, but other times I just create something that I’m feeling, and let others decide how they would describe it. I like to keep everything up for interpretation, everyone’s thoughts and ideas are different and that’s what makes it so much fun.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Georgia O’Keeffe, Joan Semmel, Salvador Dali and Egon Schiele”
What is your creative process like?
“First I research pictures of landscapes, I even have this book of Australian Outback landscapes that I take a lot of inspiration from. Then I start sketching bodies that fit into those shapes and forms, sometimes even completely changing them as I work through the painting. Once the body is formed, I make sure every bit of the body and landscape flow together, giving a complete, polished and blended look.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“To provide a form of entertainment. To be a voice of reason amidst the chaos. To be the person who illustrates or creates work that puts the world at ease or makes others feel empowered. As an artist, we have a job to do just like everyone else, we work hard, never turning our brain off. Always being in creativity mode and willing to provide a visual or audio experience purely for the enjoyment of the public.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Yes - all of the times my work has been shown in See Street Gallery in Meadowbank, Sydney. Since we all know each other, we’re all friends so it’s always an enjoyable experience during exhibitions. Also, my very first showcase with Raw Natural Born Artists was an incredible experience, it was one of the first times I’d shown my work to a wider audience, and it felt so rewarding.”
Website: rawartists.com/crfowler
Instagram: @charlotte.r.arts
