Interview
Nathalie Estienne
Nathalie Estienne is a self-taught painter and artherapist by training, born in 1969 in the south of France. Her themes of inspiration are social issues, travel, people and situations that touch her and move here, but also the ability of human beings to celebrate life. She works with mixed techniques, respecting eco-responsibility, slow art and using recycled materials. Her style is close to storytelling, a narrative art that tells a story or another story for the viewer. She’s interested in contrasts, because everything is in motion and constantly seeking balance. The need for relief on her canvases gives her the feeling that the characters will emerge and come to life.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“Ever since I was young, I have had a pencil in my hands; yet, I have made it a passion rather than a profession; although, since 2005, I have been an art therapist and worked in palliative care for several years; all people I met have taught me, with great humility, the beauty of life, the little things which make life essential, the activism against discrimination and how precious our freedom is; art has always been a lifesaver, and by my experience, art is a must to our humanity.”
What inspires you?
“Self-taught painter and qualified art therapist; born in 1969 in the south of France; my sources of inspiration are societal issues, travel, people and situations that can touch and overwhelm me and also the human capacity to celebrate life.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My style is close to storytelling, a narrative art that tells a story to people. I am interested in contrasts since everything is in motion and in perpetual search of balance; the need for relief on my canvases gives me the sensation that characters will emerge and come to life.”
“My sources of inspiration are societal issues, travel, people and situations that can touch and overwhelm me and also the human capacity to celebrate life.”
How would you describe your work?
“My approach, right now, is to continue working in an eco-responsible way, using recycled materials, mixed techniques, and glueing in order to give a second life to my work; I continue also to explore contemporary figurative art, the expression of gaze is, in my opinion, the first encounter; allegories leaving everyone’s sensibility free. My canvases are built up little by little as I create them, starting with an idea and following my inspirations. It can take more than a month to complete a painting.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Banksy, Pignon-Ernest, inspire me. I'm sensitive to artists who showcase human beauty in the truest sense of the word, human relationships, self-transcendence and human resilience.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is essential to me, and my inspiration comes precisely from our human nature, from questioning and reflecting on contemporary life. I work as closely as possible to eco-responsibility, using a variety of media: acrylic, water-soluble oil, resin and recycled materials.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“For me, the artist's role is one of transmission, of emotion, of sharing with a public sensitive to his works. He evolves through a constant search for his desire to communicate and to go ever further. art, in my opinion, must not be static, quite the contrary, it's a laboratory for research and meaning.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Exhibitions to be highlighted include Contemporary Venice at Palazzo Albrizzi Capelo in November 2023, Bastide Granet in September 2023 in Aix en Provence, ArtBox in Zurich in September 2023 and Galerie Libre est l'art in Paris in April.”
Website: threeart.fr
Instagram: @paintnathalie_estienne
