Interview

Vian Borchert

Vian Borchert is an acclaimed and an award winning artist known for her works in painting which embody her signature abstract expressionist style characterized by a poetic manner. Borchert has exhibited her artwork in over 100 exhibitions in both group and solo shows worldwide. Vian is a graduate and “Notable Alumni” from the Corcoran College of Art and Design George Washington University, Washington, DC. Borchert serves as the Art Lead for the Oxford Public Philosophy Journal, based at Oxford University, UK.

Borchert's work has been exhibited internationally in museums and key galleries in major cities such as the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, The SAM museum in PA, Venice Biennale, Art Basel Miami Beach, ArtExpo New York, Medinaceli DeArte Museum Contemporáneo in Spain, United Nations Lobby Gallery in NYC, Times Square in Broadway, and in numerous private collections and embassies. Vian's work has been vastly published in over 100 publications, in esteemed publications such as: World Art News, Museum Week Magazine, and The Washington Post. Moreover, Borchert is an art educator teaching painting and drawing classes to adults in Washington DC in prestigious venues such as the historic “Arts Club of Washington.” Borchert is recognized for her philosophies and pioneering intellectual thought and creativity in the art world.

 

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

“My artistic journey began early from childhood, nurtured by my family's artistic background (my mother is a professional artist and my father is an art collector). As a child born with a natural talent to the arts, I found myself naturally gravitating towards drawing and painting. I grew up seeing my mother paint and we attended art exhibitions and visited museums worldwide. From an early age, I would sit at my desk creating artwork and finding solace in the art creation and discovering self-expression through art-making and in its multitude of aspects from painting to poetry. Later on, I pursued a formal art education in the arts. I am a graduate and “Notable Alumni” from the Corcoran College of Art and Design, George Washington University, Washington, DC. From graduation and on, I exhibited in around 100 exhibitions worldwide in major cities in key galleries as well as exhibiting in museums such as the the Louvre museum's Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, and in embassies and partaking in art fairs such as Art Basel Miami Beach and the Venice Biennale. I am currently an art educator teaching fine art classes to adults in the Washington DC area in places such as the historic and prestigious Arts Club of Washington. I am also the  Art Lead/curator for the "Oxford Public Philosophy" Journal, based at Oxford University, UK.”

What inspires you?

“Many things inspire me. Nature is my number one source of inspiration. I am also inspired by my children and their love and hope for a better world. I am also inspired by my travels and especially my voyages to the sea. I was born by the Mediterranean sea which is one of my greatest inspirations. I find myself especially in my seascapes returning to my natal place and reflecting on my childhood memories and experiences. Hence, my artwork is a reflection of my observations of the world around me, the natural world particularly the sea, and cityscapes from major cities I am in like NYC.”

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

“I pursue themes that move me in a multitude of ways, be it emotionally, visually, intellectually and philosophically. I love the color blue which is a key signature in my abstract expressionist artwork especially the skyscapes and seascapes. I love clouds and describe myself as someone whose ‘head is in the clouds’ always looking up at the sky and enjoying the movement of clouds and the beauty of sunrises and sunsets. Light, especially the natural light of the sun and the moon continue to play a major role in my abstracted landscape work. Moreover, through my exploration of the concept of light in my work, I seek to capture its beauty and its impact on various surfaces and textures. My work aims to evoke ideas of rejuvenation along with hope, a sense of serenity as well as meditative experiences through the arts. I also describe my work as a form of visual poetry, aiming to connect with the viewer's emotions and create a dialogue between one's humanity, the art of painting, and nature.”

How would you describe your work?

“I describe my artwork as ‘visual poetry.’ My art is rooted in expressionism, emphasizing subjective experience and emotion over objective literal representation. Hence, my work is abstract expressionist, mainly acrylic on canvas paintings with hints of impressionism along with minimalism. In my work, I utilize bold colors and expressive brushstrokes to convey emotion and create a sense of movement drawing inspiration from nature. My work is often symbolic referencing themes of nature, time, and the human experience. Consequently, my art seeks to create a meditative state, encouraging contemplation and a connection to one's inner self.”

Which artists influence you most?

“As an art educator and as a seasoned artist with extensive studies in art history, art therapy and psychology. I find that the art that moves me tends to be the expressive one. Hence here is a list of artist I enjoy looking at their art and find them to be influential in so many ways: Claude Monet especially his ‘Water Lilies’ at the MoMA in NYC, Anselm Kiefer’s landscapes, Richard Diebenkorn ‘Ocean Park’ paintings' series, Gustav Klimt’s ‘Attersee’ landscapes, Egon Schiele's figurative work, Louise Bourgeois's ‘Spider’ sculptures, The Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo, Franz Kline's abstractions, Henri De Toulouse Lautrec, Edgar Degas's ballerinas, David Hockney and especially the swimming pool series such as ‘A Bigger Splash.’”

“My art is rooted in expressionism, emphasizing subjective experience and emotion over objective literal representation.”

What is your creative process like?

“My creative process is mainly delving into my own world and reaching for my inner imagination and subconscious to take control and appear through my art-making and painting process. I describe my process as ‘feverish,’ with periods of intense work that can last days, months until I deem the work satisfactory. I often work on a series / collections of paintings with a specific idea in mind such as seascapes that capture light. I do wake up very early from the crack of dawn since I prefer quietness and solitude in my art-making process. I like to brew myself a fresh cup of strong coffee, hold my mug, smell the coffee's aroma and contemplate the painting adventure that lays ahead while I eye the empty white canvas in front of me. I listen to a multitude of music that I enjoy working to such as jazz tunes from Chet Baker, Ibrahim Maalouf, Hiroshi Suzuki, and classical music from Frédéric Chopin, Erik Satie, Claude Debussy, and Rock music such as ‘The Cure,’ Led Zeppelin, and I love Kate Bush as well. Between music, coffee and the early hours of the morning light I transport myself to the right mindset to be creative.”

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

“I find my role in society as an artist is ever-evolving meaning that I seek throughout my artistic journey to always connect the viewers to the human experience felt through taking in the art and incorporating that experience into their own life and their growth as humans in a rapidly changing world. My artwork stems from a personal space within my soul that I ignite and share through paintings on canvas as well as my writings and philosophies on art. I have found through my decades of being an accomplished artist and innovative creator that my art reaches and speaks to a lot of people through its message of love, harmony and peace. Art after all is a visual language that has universal appeal. Hence, as an artist, the role becomes a multifaceted one within society. I am happy to see that my work has been recognized for its ability to inspire, connect, and provoke thought, particularly through its exploration of nature and the human spirit. Through my long career there have been numerous testaments to my contributions to the contemporary abstract expressionist art movement and my role as both an artist and art educator in the art-world and beyond.”

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

“Yes, I have had numerous noteworthy exhibitions that I am happy to see come to fruition during my lifetime. Here is the list of some of the memorable ones: In October 2024, I was honored to be invited to showcase a number of my signature blue abstractions and cityscapes at the Louvre Museum's Carrousel Du Louvre's vernissage. In April 2025, I was awarded the International Prize ‘The New Great Masters in New York’. This honorable international prize given to selected global artists commemorates the artist's worth and artistic merit and was bestowed by Effetto Arte Foundation. The award ceremony was held in NYC at Church of the Ascension in Brooklyn, NYC. In Summer of 2022, my artwork titled ‘Spectrum’ was on display at the huge Times Square digital billboard on Broadway at the TSX Entertainment billboard/stage - a billboard space that defines pop culture, located in the heart of Broadway opposite the Tickets stage. I am also grateful to have been invited to show in world-class museums such as the SAM in Pennsylvania. And, in the Medinaceli DeArte Museo Contemporáneo in Spain.”


 
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