Interview
Freeda Kingelin
Freeda Kingelin, who creates under the pseudonym Spiraliens, combines over twenty years of experience in marketing and branding with her newly found passion for painting. Born in England to a Finnish mother and Kashmiri father, with homes in Denmark, Sweden and Italy, her art reflects a rich, multicultural background. Driven by the desire to find and express a sense of belonging, Freeda uses colours and shapes to explore and convey the complexity of identity. Her vivid paintings, created with acrylics and oils, feature abstract forms and figures that draw from her diverse heritage and personal experiences. Her approach is spontaneous and intuitive, allowing creativity to lead rather than following a strict plan. Through her work, Freeda blends elements from her mixed heritage to illustrate the beauty of merging different cultural influences. Each piece is an exploration of connection and unity, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences of belonging and the ways in which varied backgrounds can come together to create something meaningful and beautiful.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“Well, this journey started by pure coincidence. Recovering from an operation only a few years ago, I picked up a paintbrush and was hooked. I began to realize that painting was allowing me to voice things that I had suppressed. I started painting at a point in my life where I was blessed with the freedom and time to make more sense of a past of high expectations, old wounds and low self-worth. My upbringing was a blend of cultures, with family and friends holding differing values and/or religious beliefs, which often put me in the role of either ‘complying’ or ‘being the outsider.’ It wasn’t about respecting what I needed or who I was; I was either trying not to be in the way, or desperate to fit in. This theme followed me into adulthood. I faced job losses, separation, divorce, single parenting, moving countries, depression. I struggled trying not to make a scene, believing that if I ever wanted to ‘fit the glove,’ I just needed to excel above and beyond and to prove my worth. The dream of connection, inclusion and mutual respect, whether at work or in family, is a deep seated wish in me, yet I often feel defeated if those connections don’t materialize as I hoped. I have learnt that bonds can’t be forced if there is no interest or willingness. Painting became my solace and voice amid that deep need to belong. It is a way to step back from external pressures and find what resonates with me. Through my art, I explore and express the complexities of my multicultural background, the pressures of family- and society expectations, and my deep-seated desire for human connection and unity. Each piece I create is a reflection of my journey towards ‘fitting into myself.’”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My work explores the theme of social identity and belonging, something I believe resonates with many people, including myself. Growing up as a mixed person with a Finnish and Kashmiri heritage, I often found myself caught between worlds, unsure of where I truly belonged. This sense of being neither here nor there, of not fully fitting into any single group or nation, is still a challenge. It´s that feeling of being an outsider, never quite finding that one place where I feel like I completely belong. The struggle to find one’s place in the world is something I think a lot of people can relate to. There’s that sense of searching for a community, or a sense of belonging, that can be elusive, especially when your identity straddles multiple cultures or experiences. My art journey has been about bringing different sides of my identity together and finding a way to feel grounded and connected. Colour and shapes are powerful symbols and tools for me in this search for belonging. I use them to create a sense of unity and coherence, even when the colours themselves are mismatched or seemingly disparate. On a canvas, both colours and shapes can come together in a way that to me feels right and beautiful and resonates on a deeper level. I think of different shapes and colours as a metaphor for how unrelated elements can find harmony and beauty, just like I try to integrate my varied cultural influences into a cohesive whole. In essence, my art is a conversation about navigating the complex terrain of social identity and belonging. It’s an expression of struggles and triumphs through shapes and colour, striving to create connections that transcend boundaries and celebrate the beauty of diversity. I hope to suggest that, even when we feel like we don’t quite fit in anywhere, we can still find our place and create something beautiful and meaningful together.”
“My work explores the theme of social identity and belonging, something I believe resonates with many people, including myself.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“I wish I was more disciplined and planned my work more in advance. When I have ideas brewing in my mind - sometimes I sketch them out to explore them further. However, more often than not, they don´t capture the vision I have, so instead, I´ll dive straight into the paint and onto the canvas to see where it goes. I’ve found that this approach gives me more creative flexibility as the piece unfolds. It’s a bit like setting sail without a fixed destination - sometimes the journey reveals something exciting that I hadn't anticipated, other times it´s just annoying, because I have no idea where I am going - and I wish I had had a plan. To manage the risk of jumping in without a clear plan, I’ve developed a little trick. I start by painting my initial lines and shapes in inexpensive watercolours, before committing to my pricier paints. Watercolour is forgiving - it’s easy to wash off if the composition or concept doesn’t turn out as I envisioned. This way, I can experiment freely and adjust without the fear of wasting materials or being stuck with an unwanted outcome. So, even if I wish I had a proper plan, I stay connected to my creative energy when I´m spontaneous and have fun with the surprises that come with it.”
Are there any art world trends you are following?
“I wouldn't say I follow specific art world trends, but I do keep a close watch on artists and the art they create every single day. In fact, I’m deeply involved in curating and promoting Nordic art through an Instagram account I run. It’s a platform where I showcase and support artists from across Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Greenland, and Iceland. The Nordic art scene doesn’t get as much global recognition as it should, and female artists are next to nothing in representation. So, while I’m not particularly trend focused, I am super passionate about uplifting these voices and creating a sense of community in a region that can feel isolated. For me, it’s less about following trends and more about fostering a sense of belonging. Being an artist can be very lonely at times, and I think this community-driven approach is crucial. It’s about sharing art and connecting with others who might feel the same isolation but also share a common creative drive. I think that desire to connect and support each other taps into a larger conversation about inclusivity in the art world, especially in areas that are often underrepresented.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“Honestly, my process is less ‘methodical artist’ and more ‘happy chaos.’ I don’t really overthink materials or techniques-things just happen organically (and sometimes by accident). For example, just the other day, I was deadheading my Dahlia plants when I got this idea from social media: apparently, you can stick leaves or flowers on a canvas and then hammer them into the surface to create marks. This led me to rummage through my husband’s toolbox like some determined DIY enthusiast. I gathered more flowers on my way through the garden and headed to my studio and started whacking away. I must admit, I felt a little guilty about the flowers - I was practically apologizing to them as I went. But I consoled myself with the thought that I was giving them eternal life in my art. Some flowers left behind beautiful colours and shapes; others just ended up looking like they’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was fun, but I’m probably not going to repeat the experiment. It felt a bit too much like I was staging a floral crime scene. Still, those flowers do get to live on in my painting - so I guess there’s a poetic ending to their story.”
What does your art mean to you?
“For me, my art is freedom in its purest form. I create because it’s a way to express that freedom and share it with others. Having navigated many dark tunnels in life, I know how easy it is to fall into unhealthy coping mechanisms. Art is key to freeing my voice. I’m not one to speak loudly or demand attention, and I’ve often felt invisible and unheard, a sentiment rooted in childhood. By creating art, I found a new way to communicate silently, through colour, lines, and story. My art is also my sanctuary- it allows me to step back from external pressures and reconnect with myself, with the freedom to explore without judgment or limitation. There’s raw honesty in that process, a kind of freedom that’s more about peeling back layers than creating comfort. I think true freedom often lies in embracing discomfort and seeking deeper truths.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“My all-time favorite artwork is ‘What a Human Being Is’ by Hilma af Klint. With that piece she somehow connects all life forms, whether botanical, human, or symbolic. It feels like a piece where boundaries blur, making it difficult to tell what exactly you’re looking at. I am a big fan of Hilma (also the name of my beloved grandmother) and the way the spiritual and the abstract connect in such a way that it also feels like a deep exploration of herself. I connect to that, especially given her quiet, introspective approach to life. Hilma’s ability to create a visual language that combines personal introspection with a universal connection is something I deeply admire and strive towards in my own work.”
Website: www.spiraliens.com
Instagram: @spiraliens
