Interview
Katarzyna Barré (Kasia)
Katarzyna is a French artist with a Polish background. She was born in Bialystok, Poland, in the northeastern part of the country.
Katarzyna first showed her work at the restaurant Impossible in Chamonix, Mont Blanc. She was then discovered on Instagram, after which she was offered the opportunity to write an article in Praxis Art in Columbia.
Since then, Katarzyna has shown her work in several exhibitions.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“As far back as I can remember, I’ve always loved to draw. I was drawing and painting literally everywhere: on paper, on the wall, and in the hallway of the apartment building we lived in. It didn’t make my neighbors happy, but I wanted to make those walls look pretty. When I was 13, one of my school teachers saw my drawings and asked me to decorate the classrooms with my paintings. That was my first artwork on display, and it made me very happy.
That same teacher advised me to apply to art school to further my career. I passed my exams and was admitted to the Academy of Art by Artur Grottger in Suprasl. After six years of studying drawings, paintings, and wooden sculptures, I left Poland at the age of 19 and moved to France. I was fortunate to meet Mark, the owner of the restaurant Mazurka in my early days in Paris. Mark was very passionate about art, and his restaurant was the first place I could display and sell my artwork. Unfortunately, I had health problems and was unable to continue with my artwork. This was a difficult time for me, but I knew that I had to take care of my health in order to proceed with my artistic inspiration.
Later, my family and I moved to Chamonix Mont Blanc. It took 10 years for my inspiration to come back. I started to create again, but this time I discovered sculpting, especially working in wood. In the beginning, I worked hard for myself. But later, I decided to show my work to other artists who shared the same passion.”
What inspires you most?
“I am mostly inspired by nature and its beauty, the magical colors of flowers, the power of trees, and the interplay between light and shadows. I also like to capture people’s emotions.
As a young artist, I was inspired by the work of famous impressionists like Van Gogh, Claude Monet, or Stanislaw Wyspianski. I admire artwork from the Italian renaissance era. I would love to use this artistic period as inspiration in my future artwork.”
“I love that my work is so different and varied. That’s what defines me as an artist, though I still have a lot to learn.
My journey has just begun, and I hope it will be a great one.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My biggest inspiration is flowers because they are perfect examples of endless beauty. They are both fragile and magnificent at the same time. Flowers bring happiness to our world and are a fresh breath of life. When I look at the diversity of the flowers, I see all the different types of people. Just as all flowers are beautiful, all people are beautiful too.”
How would you describe your work?
“I’m a passionate and driven person who loves colors. Color dominates my artwork. I also like graphic drawing. As for my sculptures, I use my native style which is transparent, together with my Polish roots and folk style.”
Which artists influence you most?
“My favorite artists are Stanislaw Wyspianski, Vincent van Gogh. Claude Monet, Gustav Klimt, and many more.”
What is your creative process like?
“My work begins with daily observation, looking at the things in my surroundings. Everyday, something different can inspire me. It could be something ordinary, or even my childhood memories, like this chair I named Podlasie, which I carved and painted. I also get my inspiration from old or artistic photographs. My emotions and imagination help spark my creativity.
I love to work outside. The outdoors is my studio. That’s where I get the most inspiration for my work. I use different working techniques. Sometimes I do pencil sketches before I start painting, and other times I go straight in with the paintbrush. I trust my instincts and give myself room to grow and have fun while working. I don’t like sticking to one technique.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Every artist can experience artistic freedom through their work. This freedom can express and support ideas, and gives us an escape from everyday life.
Artists experience the world through emotion, and art makes us more aware and more sensitive to what is happening around us. It allows for different problems to be addressed. Art can give a voice and a platform to the many problems we are facing in today’s world, like hunger and pollution.
Art not only allows people to see life from a new perspective, but it allows an open discussion between everyone on the meaning of each painting. It helps people get together, have fun, enjoy life, and be better to each other.”
Please tell us about any previous exhibitions you found noteworthy and wish to share.
“The exhibition that made quite an impression on me was the Mark Chagall in the national museum in Nicea. His work is very similar to mine, and is full of poetry and emotion. It makes you stop and think. It’s very interesting artwork. I highly recommend it.”
