Interview
Natasha Setton
Natasha Setton, a South African artist based in Durban, studied her BA in Visual Communication and Design at the University of Stellenbosch.
Her passion for art and French-Egyptian heritage has translated into uniquely created pieces, with pencil and gold leaf. Highlighting a delicateness to the drawings, through the fine detail and natural movement to her work, Natasha aims to create these captured moments in time to tell a story of the past - of culture and heritage.
Natasha’s reason for creating is best explained by Henry Ward Beecher, “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures.”
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I have always had a deep love for art, which started at a very early age in my grandfather’s study, honing in on a deep appreciation of the paintings and drawings from the Impressionists. From there on, I was always encouraged to create, and studied Visual Communication and Design at University of Stellenbosch.
I feel like I'm just getting started though, and I have so much more to show the world. I'm just someone that loves to make beautiful things and for people to see them, to appreciate them and hopefully make a name for myself out there.”
What inspires you?
“Beauty in captured moments is probably my biggest inspiration. There are so many beautiful images out there of animals, their protection over their young, their power and strength, their relationship with humans - all which tell a story. I want to make them come alive on the page and give them each a feeling; give them movement on a flat surface.
This inspiration, along with my French-Egyptian heritage from my grandfather, translated into my work, in what started with graphite drawings of camels with gold leaf. I love seeing the Bedouins in their robes, the way the material folds. I think camels are a different inspiration, it's not a common subject matter but I like that it's so different. Egyptian art, although being highly stylized, was of great sophistication for the time and is pivotal in the history of art. They use gold in their work, commenting on the grandeur of the time. This is a strong inspiration for my own work.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Often people don't see the value in a pencil drawing - it doesn't carry the same grandeur that an oil painting does. But using gold leaf in my work changes this, igniting a commentary on value: how we value art, and how we categorize someone's talent or passion. My art is another expression of me, of my soul that I want to share with the rest of the world, but at the same time this expression can create a sense of vulnerability, which can be scary.”
How would you describe your work?
“I work with graphite pencils and gold leaf on watercolor paper, drawing mostly animals - being South African this is a very big influence for me in this regard. Highlighting an element of delicateness to the drawings through fine detail and natural movement, I aim to create these captured moments in time to tell a story of the past, of culture, of heritage.”
“Picasso said that the purpose of art is to wash the dust of daily life off our souls. I want people to look at my work and feel something, to add ‘gold’ to their otherwise normal day.”
What artists influence you most?
“I love Daniel Arsham's work. I love his play with old and new, and making the everyday into expensive relics which live in that moment - again playing with past, present and future. They are beautiful pieces with much to say.
Charlie Mackesy is another great artist whose work is so free and emotive. His work is endearing, and you can't help but not love it. Arno Elias is also a stand out artist that resonates with my own work. He takes breathtaking photographs of indigenous people and endangered specials and embellishes them to show the effects of industrialization.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process can be quite a lengthy process. I take my time perfecting the little details, which slowly amount to creating a whole piece. Depending on the size and detail of the work, this can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months. I look for pictures that inspire me, that say something and I draw them.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist will always have a pivotal role in society, whatever the political, social and economic climate it is. Artists can make a profound change and it is so important that this continues, especially in the world we live in now. Art is already creating awareness on so many real issues which people have tried to ignore, but no longer can.
I think this could go in different ways, for example, I also think that artists can create pieces to transport you away from everything going on around in the world. Sometimes all we need is an escape. As society evolves and becomes more developed, there are more and more people looking for that escape, and it's not so that they can ignore the issues out there, but rather to make them feel something again. Let it be art, let it be transformative, awaken something within you, and let it be a moment where nothing else matters.”
Instagram: @natasha_setton_art
