DUPE Talks to Artist Rosie Vohra about the Prince's Art School, colour and 3 dimensional drawings.
Rosie how would you describe your work and what you do as an artist?
Drawing forms the base of everything I do, not only pencil on paper but the act of drawing and collaging with line and colour in 2-dimensions and 3-dimensions. I’m interested in combining my imagination with observation in my work, ultimately creating multi-layered drawings that are an act of thinking onto a surface with reference to my surroundings.
What are the differences between your BA and the Princes drawings school? Is there an institute you prefer?
The drawing school and my BA have been two really different experiences. At Uni there were a lot of opportunities to experiment with mediums such as ceramics, printmaking, painting, metalwork and photography. The freedom of university was what made the structure of taught lessons at the drawing school so challenging and it was amazing to be surrounded by artists who were all interested in the importance of drawing in their practice.
Who or what are your biggest influences?
From being in London the past year I have been drawing a lot from Sienese paintings in the National Gallery and Indian miniatures in the British Museum. At the moment I feel really inspired by the use of colour and form in these paintings and how they create rhythm and another language through pattern.
What are your favourite tools to work with?
If I am in my studio I tend to use lots of different materials and tools all at once. The things I tend to always have in my pencil case are black waterproof ink, a small paintbrush, 4B pencil, stabilo woody colouring pencils and a scalpel.
Do you ever have nightmares? If so tell me about them?
I don’t normally have nightmares. The other week I wasn’t sleeping very well and I had a dream there were dead butterflies in the toilet and I had to wee on them to make them come alive.
How often do you draw when you're not at the Princes school? (Truthfully)
It varies really, I would say I draw pretty much every day/every other day. Drawing and keeping a sketchbook are something I’ve always done, even before I started the drawing school.
What is the darkest thing you’ve drawn/painted?
I don’t think I have ever intentionally made the subject matter of my drawings ‘dark’. Some of my work from last year is saturated with so much colour that it could come across as slightly unnerving. At the moment I’m interested in exploring the relationship between different colours and seeing how they push and pull your eyes in different directions across a drawing or painting.
On one of your works you write ‘Growth isn’t a comfortable thing’. Are these your words? If so, why do you think that?
I remember being in the studio and phoning my older brother because I was finding it difficult to make work under pressure towards the end of my degree and he said ‘growth isn’t a comfortable thing’. Growth is also like change and change isn’t always easy but I think it can sometimes be for the best.
So we’ve met in person and you are always very warm (we haven’t touched) and smiley. Tell me, what makes you angry?
It’s hard to think what really makes me angry. Sometimes I think people are too quick to judge others and I find that difficult to deal with.
What’s next for you now you have graduated from the Princes school?
After I graduate I plan to stay in London for a little while longer. I think I need some time to make work and process all the things I have learnt over the past year and London is a great place because of all the resources that are on your doorstep! I am also itching to travel (to India in particular). After travelling around China for a month this summer I think I would really benefit from making work in an exciting and unfamiliar place so I hope to apply for some artist residencies as well.
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