Interview

Written By Adelé Kotzé

Karinda Ristic

Karinda Ristic is an emerging abstract artist originally from Cape Town, South Africa and is now living in Ontario, Canada. She creates ethereal abstract landscapes with mixed media, exploring the inner journey of one's authentic self. She is mostly self-taught, although she enjoys learning new skills through participating in many different art courses over the years. Initially she worked with acrylic paints, but her artwork has organically shifted over the last 8 years, since during this time she has moved around the world with her partner and two children. This has given her a unique perspective of the world and now she mostly works with fluid ink mediums and sews into the canvas with embroidery thread. This has given her a unique perspective of the world and now she mostly works with fluid ink mediums and sews into the canvas with embroidery thread.

 

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I am originally from South Africa and am now living in Canada with my partner and two daughters. I have been working in a variety of creative industries for my entire life, but decided to take the plunge and become a full time artist when we moved to Denmark in 2016. I am mostly self-taught and initially I started working with acrylic paints. My art has however organically shifted over the last 8 years. This happened during the time I moved around the world with my family. This has given her a unique perspective of the world and now I mostly work with fluid ink mediums and sew into the canvas with embroidery thread.”

What inspires you?

“This beautiful life inspires me! There is so much beauty around us and when I travel, I can't wait to get back into the studio to get creative and to explore new ideas. Also, I have been on a personal spiritual and physical healing journey for the last couple of years and this has truly changed the art I create. My work now explores the inner journey of one's authentic self. I create abstract paintings not from what I see, but rather from what I feel.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“My abstract work is mostly about exploring who we really are. It's about peeling away the various layers we have created in this society and finding your most authentic self. When this happens, we can create a very healing and fulfilling life for ourselves, finding our inner peace and happiness.”

How would you describe your work?

“I create ethereal contemporary landscape paintings using fluid mediums. This allows me to surrender to the process of letting the paint flow freely on the canvas. My work has an organic feel that explores layers of colour, space and luminosity. These diverse somewhat cryptic characteristics expose a deep connection between the viewer, the artist and the artwork. As a final touch, I sew embroidery thread into the canvas. This not only acts as my personal signature, but it also adds to the organic nature of the work and creates interesting line work and texture.”

Which artists influence you most?

“My work is very unique to me and I follow my own inner knowing when I create. Having said that, there are many current artists that I find very inspirational. To name a view: Kippi Leonard creates beautiful contemporary oil paintings. I also enjoy the light and layered abstract work from Adele Webster. Brittany Kiertzner's embroidery abstract work is gorgeous. And I enjoy the textured abstract work by Marianna Raikkala.”

“My abstract work is mostly about exploring who we really are. It's about peeling away the various layers we have created in this society and finding your most authentic self.”

What is your creative process like?

“My work is very intuitive and meditative. I use fluid mediums that freely flow on the canvas. It is a powerful teacher to me, because this helps me to surrender, let go and trust in the process. The very nature of this medium forces me to be in the present moment and interact with the painting immediately, otherwise the moment is lost. Once I am happy with the final artwork, I sew into the canvas using embroidery thread as a way to emphasise the organic nature of the landscapes. It is also a personal way for me to honour the women in my family lineage, since they all love (or loved) to sew. Finally, it acts as my personal signature.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“Artists have many roles in society, depending on what their art focuses on and what their overall message is about. When I look at my art specifically, I would like it to remind people that there is no greater gift than to truly be yourself. The world needs authentic people that are not afraid to be bold and live life to the fullest. Only then will you find inner peace and this will ripple into the world, healing others.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“I have had the pleasure to participate in a variety of group exhibitions at the Port Moody Art Centre in BC, Canada. One of my highlights was when I was invited to do a talk at the opening event for the Unity Art group exhibition. I have also created many artworks for a variety of health clinics in Canada, which I am very proud of. My work was also chosen for the music CD cover for the classical music duo, Deuson Pilkington Duo in the US. Having said that, what makes me the happiest is to see my work in collectors homes. I am so grateful that I can share my heart-centered work with others.”

 
Adelé Kotzé
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