Words by Gemma Laverick
Photography by All photographs courtesy of the artists
Read time 2 minutes
Artists Tess Costil,Linda Gilbert,Mo Stewart,Paul Darragh,Roberta Queiroga,Amanda Billing
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Artfull artist Tess Costil lives through this quote, creating extraordinarily beautiful pieces of art that engage and allure in subtle ways. In Costil’s layered work, the beauty comes from the interplay between what she chooses to hide as much as what she brings to the surface.
Abstract painter Linda Gilbert said that these words help her to “hold the faith”. In her practice, Gilbert incorporates techniques used by Surrealists, drawing on contemporary ideas relating to consciousness, sensory perception, and earth sciences.
Mo Stewart, a dynamic contemporary artist who uses drawing as her mode of expression, says that in her own work, the willingness to be a little stupid or playful means that the work is driven by the making and not so much by the grand ideas dreamt up before the making.
Simple, yet effective, a lot like the work of geometric abstract artist Paul Darragh who lives through these words when creating his contemporary art. Whether it be on traditional canvases, a large-scale mural, outdoor painting, or his limited-edition art prints, Darragh follows his intuition, leaning into it fully to create works that are both of the moment and timeless. Read more about how he used this philosophy in creating his debut sculpture.
These words shine within the creative process of contemporary visual artist, Roberta Queiroga. She works in a symbiosis with the canvas, allowing for her emotion to spontaneously flow with minimum interference when creating. These words have helped her remain true to her creative intent, ensuring that the work she creates remains an authentic expression.
Visual artist, photographer and actress, Amanda Billing mentioned that Ian Roberts’ book ‘Creative Authenticity’ was one of her favourites, commenting that it is a “must-have for artists”. Billing’s work is both sensual and expressive, discovering and revealing the beauty of the folds and undulations of the human body.