DOWNTIME w/ Nala Sinèpro

1) LOCATION?

I currently live and work mainly in Spain. As I also have Dutch roots, I naturally love Amsterdam. A big dream is definitely to live and work in New York for a year and also to take a very long working trip to South America. And to breathe in the visual cultures there. 🇪🇸

2) YEARS COLLAGING?

Even as a very small child, I loved doing handicrafts, cutting things out and sticking and glueing them together. This is certainly one of my earliest memories of creativity. My mother is an art and drawing teacher and so art has always been a big part of my life.

3) WHAT DO YOU LOVE AND DISLIKE ABOUT COLLAGE??

That you can create something completely new with found things and fragments of your work. Something that is bigger than it’s parts. And almost more importantly: the moment of surprise and chance, when things come together and something magical and emotional is created. I try to create these moments for myself with and in my work, when I am excited and touched. The conscious new contextualisation and the coincidence are like magnets for me. Making collages and compositions is very contemplative and always a strong dialog with yourself.

Personally, I don't like it when it becomes too representational or when faces and concrete situations draw attention to themselves. Collages can very quickly become clichés. And I try to add something new to the canon of collages. I often work very spontaneously and intuitively and create many different versions. And then after one or two weeks, with enough distance, I choose the emotionally strongest one. Because there should be no censorship in the creative process. Everything is beautiful and everything is allowed. To paraphrase Bukowski: Collage emotionally drunk and edit sober.

4) BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

That's a tricky question. I would say my subconscious. Because everything that I have seen, felt and found important and significant in my life has ended up there. The Japanese and Asian way of life and conscious reduction certainly have a big influence. On the other hand, I love everything that is colourful, full of joy and expression. I love flowers and leaves and am passionate about collecting vases.

5) ANALOG VS DIGITAL, PROS & CONS?

For me, it's not a question of “versus“. I almost always work digitally for the composing. But everything that is part of these assemblages is drawing, ink, photos, paper works that I did, found objects — no matter how it was made. Or how perfect or imperfect it is in its original form. I then try to dematerialise the elements somewhat through manipulation and retouching, so that you can immerse yourself more in the work and it doesn't remain too flat and representational.

6) HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR DOWNTIME?

I'm actually constantly thinking about ideas and what I want to do next. In this respect, the concept of downtime doesn't really exist for me ;) I try not to fall short of my daily goal of 12,000 steps. By now it has become a really important and meditative part of my life. In my down time, I enjoy cooking and eating and trying out new plant-based recipes. But the best thing is probably to take a wonderful afternoon nap on a sofa.

7) THREE TIPS FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN COLLAGE?

Avoid Instagram! Look at everything, and I mean truely everything, very carefully. What exactly do the autumn leaves look like that lie wet in front of you on your Sunday walk? What arrangement do they have and what macro-structure? Why do you like that architectural element so much? Why are you fascinated by this splash of colour? What exactly does the handle of this cup look like? The whole world is one big art exhibition if you look closely. Take lots of photos, because that trains your eye. And draw a lot, even if you're not good at it. Drawing is thinking. Never judge a medium or a technique, it's all about what you do with it. And that you like it. Okay, that was a few more tips than three.

8) WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR ART PRACTICE IN 5-10 YEARS’ TIME?

I don't think about that. One step at a time. And see where this step takes me.

9) UP AND COMING SHOWS OR PROJECTS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?

I am currently thinking about making a book with many of my works. Besides vases, I am an incredible collector of books and magazines. I love having beautiful books in my hands. And the feeling of well-chosen paper, the smell of a freshly printed silkscreen or freshly printed books and beautifully finished covers.

I would also like to go more into the third dimension, i.e. works that you can look at and experience in space. I simply like reality. When the digital becomes part of your real life again.

See more 👀
Gram: @nala_sinepro