Esther Ines Wolf
Esther Ines Wolf is a German artist and graphic designer based in London. She moved to the UK after her BA in Communication Design. Esther has since worked as a graphic designer and later developed her art. She often explores interdisciplinary techniques to convey her concepts based on memories and experiences by working with photography, printmaking and prose literature. Esther's current works are predominately mixed-technique monoprints based on an uncompromising narrative to tell an intimate psychological story.
Interview:
Q: What made you want to be in the creative industry?
E: Being creative is not a career choice, I believe it‘s more of a calling. The question I‘d asked myself initially was how do I apply myself creatively and make a living.
Q: Talk about the pieces/item/project etc you are presenting to the Gallery?
E: The pieces I have chosen are part of a story I wrote for my collaborative art piece, half-tone and am now turning into a self published illustrated book.
Q: What is a charity you would like to raise awareness for?
E: Shelter and refuge
Shelter Refuge - read more about here
Q: How has your practice changed over time?
E: Over time my work changed from mixed discipline performance based collaborations to print based story telling in a broader sense.
Q: How do your materials affect your work?
E: My mono prints are following a story, but are an intuitive process, with no certain outcome. I often experiment with materials and techniques, which keeps my studio time exciting.
Q: To someone who doesn't know you and you only have 3 words to express yourself with, what would they be?
E: Skilful, experimental, creative :)
Q: How do you handle a creative block?
E: I give myself time and get grounded in nature, away from distractions.
Q: Can you tell me about your Artistic routine - A day of creating?
E: I work best after having completed my day to day responsibilities. Approaching midday, I look for a quiet space to focus on my ideas, before starting printing in the early afternoon.
Q: What are your future shows or projects that you are working on?
E: After I have published my book in spring, I would like to have a collaborate exhibition with my daughters for autumn.
Q: How do you navigate the line between maintaining the line between your authentic voice and meeting audience or market expectations?
E: Having worked as a graphic designer I know very well what market expectations can sometimes do to creative expression. Art for me is my truth and for others to get to know me, if they so wish.
Q: How do you deal with vulnerabilities in sharing your personal experience or thoughts of your art ?
E: In my circle and generation art was seen as a concept void of emotion. Art had to be new not based on tradition. I tend to be open and have liberated myself from dogmas in general. After all being creative doesn‘t go well with limitations.
Q: How do you define your perspective of success in your practice?
E: Keep working :)
Q: How do you feel social media affects your work ie. scale, your process / feeling the need to document your process?
E: Social media has liberated artists by having given every artist an audience. I don‘t think about how to document my work until afterwards.