Artist Spotlight: Diptaa Sloniir
Meet Diptaa Sloniir. She is a French artist who spent most of her time growing up in a French wine-maker village called Chinon. She infuses a minimalistic and dark aesthetic into her works while exhibiting great meticulous qualities.
Diptaa Sloniir created Founders & Followers latest editorial for fall and you can find many of her works our website [x]. Recently, we had the opportunity to catch up with her and ask her a few questions.
Take a look into the life of Diptaa Sloniir below.
Q: Tell me a little about yourself (Birthplace/Where you grew up, education, what influenced you growing up, what influenced you to become an artist, etc.)
I was born in a French wine-maker village, Chinon, and grew-up in this area. I left for Amsterdam in 2005, then to San Francisco 2010, and now Stockholm in 2015. Traveling, saying goodbyes to places and friends influenced me. Plus I was quite anxious as a kid, with a wild imagination. I often felt constrained and in this regard I always needed to free myself from everything -people, principles or thoughts. This search for freedom is partly responsible for me becoming an artist.
Q: What inspiration behind Diptaa Sloniir?
Diptaa Sloniir is actually the anagram of the French term : “La Disparition”, which means the disappearance / vanishing. It seems to me that all comes down to how to deal with our disappearance to come. Also, I wanted a name to extract myself from anything I know, and that could not be connected to a specific culture or country.
Q: What are some medium techniques that you use?
Everything is handmade. I draw, do linocut, dye. I use many materials from ink to horse hair or porcupine quills. I always start with a photograph I took with my Yashica 120mm film camera and often remove some of its original materials -tearing it up, peeling off the printed layer, cutting it out.
Q: In one sentence, define your style as an artist and the aesthetic you are aiming for.
I would say I am very intuitive and meticulous, taking hours to slowly balance any detail, aiming at a dark and minimalist aesthetic that plays with a dreamy, quirky, organic feel.
Q: I heard you just moved into a new space, compare your new atelier to your old one and how do you like the new environment?
Yes, I just moved from San Francisco to Stockholm, Sweden. My studio will be more intimate as it is not a shared studio anymore. The downside being not to exchange views with fellow artists on a daily basis. The positive side of moving is to renew your look at things, reboot inspiration. I am excited with the difference of light -or the lack of here in Stockholm!
Q: In a given day, how much time do you spend in your atelier?
At the very minimum I spend my mornings in my atelier.
Q: What are some things outside of working as an artist that you like to do?
Definitely road trips, for a day, a week or more. Spontaneously discovering a land, a space, with minimum preparation. One of my dreams would be to travel on the Trans-Siberian train for several weeks!
Q: Describe a typical day in your life.
In an ideal world, morning would be for art making, then I would be on my computer until mid day, after which I could slip back into motherhood and social life. I wish it were that compartmented and organized but somehow all this ends up mixed together. Actually, this mix up is my typical day. There is a strong connection between my works and life moments.
Q: Where do you see yourself as an artist in 10 years?
Working in Europe. I would be really happy to make a living out of my art, to feel fully legitimate about my work. To fit in the art world in my own way.
Q: What is your next project?
I want to go North on a trip, and explore more photography and 3D works, maybe with textile, potentially involving horse hair braids. I also want to go ahead with my “This is just Good Bye” project, which consists in taking pictures of random good byes between people.
Q: Any advice for up-and-coming artists who want to follow their passions?
Do everything you can while you have a chance (location-wise, energy-wise, budget-wise etc.), don’t let change of plans make you feel you missed opportunities. Your way will always be the best one for yourself. Talk to people truthfully and listen to what they have to say.
discoholicmusic
stormborns
dailybridgerton
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
titsay
romaincrisis
