November 21, 2011
artist del kathryn barton
The work of Del Kathryn Barton is instantly recognisable, in part thanks to the success she's had in Australia's most famous art prize, The Archibald. She took out top honours in 2008 and was a finalist in 2007 and 2011. A graduate of the College of Fine Arts, as part of the University of NSW, Del has exhibited many times in Australia and overseas. She's also collaborated with the fashion world, with Sydney-based label Romance was born and more recently has created a limited edition scarf for the 10-year anniversary of fashion store Palour X.
Which five words best describe you? Crazed workaholic (sleep-loving) mummy.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Well, I drew obsessively as a child, and I am still drawing to stay alive 38 years later. One has to trust the work more than anything.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? The best lesson is to know why you're doing what you're doing: meaning and connectivity for me comes from the makingness within my practice.
What’s your proudest career achievement? To be working as a full-time artist.
What’s been your best decision? To become a mother.
What inspires you? Everything! The landscape, my children, sex, Louise Bourgeois, Chris Ofili, Henry Darger, crime fiction, sleeping, swimming, eating, Yayoi Kusama, walking, fashion, television, Ramond Petition, Sally Gabori, art art art, chairs, cactus, Japanese plastic, shells, Tibetan mandalas, the desert (and a tiny bit of sneaky Chanel! when I've been good! yikes!) and film. I watch way too many movies - Enter the void was my standout film this year, it rocked me.
What are you passionate about? My children's wholeness, health and joy, my studio cave, my work, my partner, my work, the natural landscape, my work.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I am a bit weird about meeting people I admire greatly. I get all sweaty and "not myself". But if it could be natural then probably Louise Bourgeois. She seems so fearless to me.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Oh so many. But really sometimes I have to pinch myself cause I am already living my dream. I only ever wanted to be an artist.
What are you reading? I have just come off a marathon of Michael Connelly crime novels - so good.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Well, I drew obsessively as a child, and I am still drawing to stay alive 38 years later. One has to trust the work more than anything.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? The best lesson is to know why you're doing what you're doing: meaning and connectivity for me comes from the makingness within my practice.
What’s your proudest career achievement? To be working as a full-time artist.
What’s been your best decision? To become a mother.
What inspires you? Everything! The landscape, my children, sex, Louise Bourgeois, Chris Ofili, Henry Darger, crime fiction, sleeping, swimming, eating, Yayoi Kusama, walking, fashion, television, Ramond Petition, Sally Gabori, art art art, chairs, cactus, Japanese plastic, shells, Tibetan mandalas, the desert (and a tiny bit of sneaky Chanel! when I've been good! yikes!) and film. I watch way too many movies - Enter the void was my standout film this year, it rocked me.
What are you passionate about? My children's wholeness, health and joy, my studio cave, my work, my partner, my work, the natural landscape, my work.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I am a bit weird about meeting people I admire greatly. I get all sweaty and "not myself". But if it could be natural then probably Louise Bourgeois. She seems so fearless to me.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Oh so many. But really sometimes I have to pinch myself cause I am already living my dream. I only ever wanted to be an artist.
What are you reading? I have just come off a marathon of Michael Connelly crime novels - so good.
images courtesy of del kathryn barton