Scarlett Rouge Interview

 

 

 

words by Joshua Phillip  

 

In this interview I chat with artist         

Scarlett Rouge. We discuss art materials, working environment, research methods, and more.

I am attracted to Scarlett’s work and the truth in which she expresses herself through her art. 

 

website for Scarlett Rouge

www.scarlettrouge.com

 

photo above of Scarlett by Danielle Levitt 

www.daniellelevitt.com

 

 

I like the way you use colour. To me I see it separating sections of a piece to form 1 or 2 or more parts to complete the picture. 
I understand subjectivity but am I correct in my analysis?
“Honestly, I am a bit confused by the question. Most of my work is figurative, when composing it, I like the lines from one subject to another, or the landscape, to flow subtly into each other. I suppose you could say the lines are relatively flat and I use colours to create a sense of depth”
With paint what materials do you work with?
“At the moment, I am mainly working with gouache, natural pigments and oil pastels”
And with Sculpture what materials do you work with?
“I mainly work with clay. Sometimes, I take my prototype to an artisan or technician to have it translated into other materials, such as stone, concrete or bronze. I also work with my personal household objects to glue sculptural stories together. I am currently working on a series of bas-relief carved from plaster mixed with ink and pigments”
What materials would you like to explore whether conventional or unconventional?
“I’ve been lucky to have the ability to experiment with many different materials. I think my favorite and most challenging is film. The expense and need for a crew means I don’t often get a chance to explore it, nevertheless creating what I like to think of as moving paintings is a constant longing. I also have a coveted desire to create 3D paintings, or discrete installations, I call secular temples that bring together a spiritual longing with a scientific reality”
Is there an area of art you haven’t yet experimented with but might experiment with?
“One area I would love to adventure into is the public art space. In a small square garden, I would love to transform my sculpture Origins Oscura into fountain, with tears drip from slits where her eyes should be and gushing water from her vagina dentata”
There have been various movements within Art such as Surrealism, Expressionism, Modernism, Fauvism. What movement would you like to create if you are to invent one?
“Therapeutic, years ago I read Alain de Botton and John Armstrong’s book Art as Therapy, and many of their ideas rang true. Art is the language, the external attempt to express the messy abstract emotions our unconscious, psyche and soul strive to deal with”
Describe the studios you like to work in and the spaces you like to work in?
“I’ve worked in enormous studios, borrowed spaces, and currently I am working in a little shed in our garden. I’ve been kicked out of many apartments for working in them. My most fond memories was working in hotel rooms, they never kicked me out, surprisingly they always found my ability to create in them as an added value, giving me a very romantic impression of being Dorothy Parker weaving her vicious circle”
Detail your research methods and techniques and how deep you get into researching for a piece?
“Research is integral to my process, my method is similar to a witch creating a spell or talisman. I research the elements, symbols and allegories that relate to the subject or concept I am working with. The internet is a great tool, as well as my personal library”
Talk to me about the use of space in societal environments and what structures do you think work VS the structures that you think do not work?
“I don’t think it’s so much about the space being good or bad, and more about appreciating the environment you are working with. Content is always affected by its context, it is up to the artist to be aware and adjust to the present circumstance”
Memories of Antebellum Gallery?
“Antebellum was a gallery run by a dear family friend Rick Castro. I only showed a few times there. He did a great job at giving a voice to the underdogs and outcasts, groups which I warmly consider myself to be part of”
Creative influences including literary?
“Artists: Louise Bourgeois, Carol Rama, Anselm Kiefer, Hilma af Klint, and Paul Lafolley.. to name a few. I read a lot of research books about mythology, history and psychology/philosophy. Novels I love to reread are by E.M. Foster, Marguerite Duras, Joan Didion and Agatha Christie. My last favorite novel was Confiteor by Jaume Cabré, can’t recommend it enough, a real tear jerker. And if you have never read The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, it’s a must. Being a Hollywood child, films have played a major role in my life. Two that I always return to for inspiration is Holy Mountain by Jodorowsky, and The Red Shoes by Michael Powell. Yesterday, I saw a beautiful film called Neptune Frost by Saul William and Anisia Uzeyman, an instant cult classic that everyone interested in art and poetry should see”
There is a famous alcohol that was drank by writers and artists that was popular between the 18th to 20th century called Absinthe. It is an alcohol that is liquid green and it is herbal. Van Gogh for example was a heavy drinker of Absinthe and his green Art works are said to be inspired by his addiction. What do you know about Absinthe or any other similar drinks?
“I have a funny story with Absinthe. Years ago, with a group of friends in Venezia, Italy, we had a night with Lady Absinthe. We were definitely flying high, some as spirits of light and others as dark angels. I can attest that it has a spirit of its own and draws you into another dimension. Not a big drug user myself, I have had wonderful experiences with psychedelic mushrooms, one day I would like to try ayahuasca. For me drugs, should be used with respect and with the aim of having a spiritual awakening”
What does your diet consist of?
“My diet is varied, I believe that one should eat with the seasons. I love veggies and fresh fruit, and also eat all forms of meat, though more seafood than red. I steer clear of anything deep fried” 
Are you the sort of person that sees a link between what you eat to how you function i.e a healthy eater?
“I am a firm believer that you are what you eat. I think eating locally farmed fresh foods are more important than buying organic” 
Non Alcoholic drinks you drink regularly?
“Water, water, sparkling water, I also love vegetable green juices and lemon verbena tea from my garden” 
Do you drink a lot of water and what water do you drink?
“Water is life. I have reverse osmosis on tap at home, but if I have to drink from a bottle I prefer a glass bottle or Badoit when it comes to sparkling” 
What energises you?
“Breathe/Yoga. Sketching a new idea and or reading a random sentence from a book my daughter pulls off the shelf. In metaphysical terms, what energies me is the need of my soul and psyche to unify body with spirit”

 

[email protected]

Rorschach Art Publication 
rorschacharchives.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

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