Interview
Rosalind Andrea Keith
Rosalind Keith was born in Surrey, in the South of England, in 1965.
After completing her secondary education she moved to Italy to study at the Charles H Cecil studio In Florence, where she gained a training in ‘Sight size’ portraiture, still life and nude. An inquisitive, independent mind led away from Classical realism, to years experimenting in various painting mediums, using a more contemporary approach to her work to create a unique style in expressing her inner world.
Her initial ‘informal' work centers on the world of nature, where mountains and sea feature silently without human forms. The death of her mother in 2012 marked a dramatic turning point when she returned to the human figure, to express the emotions of maternity. Her current work focuses on the world of women and relationships.
Rosalind has participated in numerous competitions, classifying in first and second positions. Her work has been published in both Italian and International publications. Two of her images have also been archived in the collection of prints and drawings of Vittorio Sgarbi.
Rosalind’s work is in private collections in Italy and abroad, and has recently been included in the permanent collection by the Diocesean Museum of Gubbio.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born in England, though my mother of English origin was second generation South African and my father was Czech. I had a Catholic boarding school education for eight years, and then traveled to Italy where I have lived since I was eighteen.
I received classical training in still life, portraiture and figure painting at the Charles Cecil studio in Florence. I was a black sheep there, and have dedicated many years to undo my training and develop a personal style.
I think my journey in the art world initially started in kindergarten. While I was playing with modeling clay, a little boy came up to me, took my clay and sank his teeth into it as though it was an apple. He then gave it back to me. It was an interesting lesson on 'sharing'.”
“Like a child, I enjoy a freshly stretched canvas or blank sheet of paper, where I can tell an emotion and find a universal language that unites me to the world, despite my innate shyness and the solitary nature of my work.”
What inspires you most?
“That is an interesting question. I think most of my work is the result of hard work and dedication, and only a small part is the result of 'inspiration'.
My moment of greatest inspiration was in 2012, when my mother passed away. My daughter was four, I had not painted for 10 years and my previous work was devoid of figures. In that intense moment, I knew it was time to get to work and I had an extraordinary energy propelling me. I produced a series of paintings on paper and canvas depicting maternity, where the embrace of a mother around her child was explored through exaggeration and the lengthening of the arms. This has since become a motif in my work.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My central theme is women. Through the female form, I work on depicting states of mind. I would call it emotional realism - the way we relate to each other as human beings and the way we relate to the world around us. One of my themes is the conflict between self expression and the expectations of society. Some of my work is very personal, touching on unresolved issues of my adolescence.
I would hesitate to say there is a message because I don't want to be presumptuous, but I think that when a painting leaves my studio it belongs to everyone - it is really about sharing something. The emotion expressed may be familiar to the viewer and remind them they are not alone.”
How would you describe your work?
“An interesting compromise between my limitations as a painter, and my ability to capture attention.
If it's a good one, I won't hesitate to sign it, but at the same time I am curious as to how I got there!”
What artists influence you most?
“Massimo Campigli
Gertrude Abbercrombie
Baltus
Felice Casorati
Piero della Francesca.”
What is your creative process like?
“My preferred medium is oil paint, as it has many variations, from smooth brushwork, layers of spatula and texture I can scratch into. I like to work directly onto the canvas. If a painting is going to work, I can see it in the first session where I work out the composition. Successive sessions serve to build up the paint surface and resolve color harmony.
I tend to leave any dust particles, paint blobs or brush hairs on the surface if they are trapped there accidently, they testify to the moment I was working.
Once my dog scratched my painting, probably because there was a pigeon in the bottom right corner - that was the first time I have done a painting with my dog!”
“The canvas is a micro cosmos where I can make a series of decisions and determine the outcome.
Every canvas presents me with the opportunity to leave a mark that is uniquely mine. The meditative aspect is related to where this series of ‘marks' and choices takes me in the process. Art takes us somewhere else - it can unburden us from our troubles and anxiety and unite us with humanity.
Every story can be shared, and lifelong omissions given voice. There is no better place for truth and freedom than on a canvas.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Artists have more than one role in Society. They celebrate beauty. They question convention. They provoke thought and leave a visual testimony of the age they live in.
It is difficult to foresee their future role. Much depends on how advancing technology and media is employed.
While we live in a democracy and our individual rights are respected, artists can continue to give valuable contributions to society.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
““Vegetalia Tra Alberi, Fiori e Frutti” Casa Museo Sartori, Castel D’Ario Mantova 2020.
“Piccola Collettiva d'Arte Sacra"Museo Diocesano Gubbio. Perugia 2020.
“Post Scriptum” Solo exhibition of work by Rosalind Keith. Arianna Sartori Gallery Mantova 2020.
“A New Beginning" Van Der Plas Gallery. New York 2021.
“Viaggio nell'art” Spazioporpora Gallery. Milan 2021.
“Old and New Frontiers of Arte” International Exhibition of Contemporary Art. Curated by Roberto Borra. Archaeological Museum of Bene Vagienna. (CN) 2021.
“Divine Creature3" curated by Roberto Borra, Gart contemporary Art Gallery, Neive (Cn) 2021/22.
“BerlinArt Contest” curated by Daniela Accorsi, Cogalleries, Torstrasse. Berlin 2021.Prizes:
2° prize Extemporary S.Mauro Abate “Patron of Casoria” July 2002.
1° Prize “ Summer of Art 2002” Council of Laviano.
2° Prize Figurative Painting “National Artistic Exhibition CollectionArt37" 2018.
3°Prize Figurative painting International Contemporary Art prize 2019. Organised by the Collettivo 37 Association.
3° Prize visual Art “The Cat” in memory of Riccarda Miriam Giraudi. Turin 2021.”
Website: www.rosalindkeith.com
Instagram: @keithrosalind
