Ilona Nelson - Artist
Ilona Nelson is a photographic Artist in West Melbourne who has been making art “seemingly forever” and realised “Photography was for me when I was 10”. Her website is http://www.illyphotography.com
Ilona’s work is an exploration of self identity continually assessing her placement in contemporary culture, with a glint of humour in her eye.
Ilona completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts degree, major in photography, with distinction in 1998 and has been exhibiting regularly since then. Nelson grew up in country Victoria and now resides in Melbourne (Australia) with her husband, son, and Barkly the boxer.
Her work is described as narrative with social, political, cultural and or personal messages
Wistfully Yours
Photograph and oil on cotton rag paper
61 x 85 cms
What are you currently working on?
Quite a few things at the moment - a solo show in July at the Town Hall gallery with an artist talk, a group show at Obscura gallery in August and I’m also in the Cancer Council Art Awards during July and August.
Solo show ‘The Family Mould’ 8th July - 2nd August
Opening Thurs 9th 6-8pm
Town Hall Gallery, 358 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn
www.townhallgallery.blogspot.com
‘In Conversation’ Sat 18th July 2pm
Join artist Ilona Nelson and Curator Mardi Nowak to discuss how family
history leads to the exploration of identity in the exhibition The Family Mould.
Cancer Council Art Awards 19th July - 7th August
Opening Sunday 19th July 3pm
120 Collins St, Melbourne
Group show at Obscura gallery - dates TBC
Opening Sun 26th July
Beller House, Suite 11
285 Carlisle Street, St Kilda
http://www.obscuragallery.com/
What fascinates you?
Human behaviour/nature, pop culture - I’m like a moth to the glossy mag flame
Now give us a more descriptive outline on your current works…
The Family Mould continues photographer Ilona Nelson’s current exploration of self-identity. Prompted by the birth of her first child, Nelson uses her artistic practice to focus on her family history, demonstrating that the deeply personal is in many cases the universal. Her selectively hand coloured photographs reinterpret images from her family album by rephotographing them in a contemporary context.
The exhibition also incorporates a short film focusing on times and places that have been significant in the artist’s personal growth. This new work of Nelson’s invites the audience to examine how their own family experiences have shaped both their lives and themselves.??In The Family Mould, Nelson offers her audience a fascinating exploration of the parallels and contrasts between the present day and that of previous generations. She presents us with the idea that, underneath the lace and finery, we are not so different to those who came before.
Why are you an artist?
It’s just the way my brain works, it’s how I process and see my thoughts
The Gardener
Cotton rag paper, framed with dirt
85 x 61 cms
Was art a “thing” that was encouraged in your family?
Despite my parents not being from a creative background they’ve always been completely supportive and have never discouraged me from it. I’m so lucky and appreciative of this.
What was life like for you as you were growing up?
Fun! I grew up in the country and was always outdoors with my boundless energy.
Labour Day
Photograph and gouache on cotton rag paper
85 x 61 cms
Your art education was…?
BVA photography major with distinction, La Trobe University, Bendigo. I was enrolled to do honours but stayed overseas for another year instead.
You mentioned going overseas after your BVA, is travel something that has been important for your career?
Travel gives you a lot of perspective as you’re reminded loud and clear that your comfort box is only a teeny tiny speck of the world!
Afternoon
Photograph and gouache on cotton rag paper
85 x 61 cms
Can you tell us a bit more about that first trip – where you went, whether it impacted you as an artist or your work… anything you would like to share about your travels?
I traveled around Eastern Europe and Turkey and Greece, then I ended up living in Edinburgh for almost two years. I’ve just sorted through my travel negs recently (more than 10 years after I got home), I can’t wait to scan them in and see what’s there! Maybe my next series will incorporate some of these images..
Has your work changed much since your early efforts?
Elements such as self as other, text and layering have been constants in the imagery, but as a student I distorted the images and added text in the printing process now I add layers when shooting and with a little tweaking in photoshop.
Your work is largely autobiographical or self referential with self-portraits being a dominant theme. Is that deliberate or more a case of a cheap accessible model?
I started using myself as the model in my work in high school as my best friend got sick of posing for me. Obviously accessibility is a plus as I can shoot whenever I have an idea, even more so now being a mum working around my son’s sleeping patterns. And strangely, I sometimes forget that it’s me in my work and I get surprised when someone recognises me from the images.
What caused you to choose the medium you currently work in?
I think I had romantic notions of being a painter but all my ideas were photography based so I didn’t have a choice. I’ve started experimenting with film, I think it’s a natural progression from stills to moving images, and I’d like to get back into life drawing, just because I enjoy it.
Are you a purist with your art materials or willing to mix things about?
Mix it up! The works for ‘The Family Mould’ series are a new direction for me as I’m drawing on the surface of the photographs with ink, oil, pastels and gouache. I’m even knitting a steak to be attached to one of them.
How important is society, culture and or history to your work?
Very. Often inspirations for my work comes from observing what is happening socially, accidentally listening in to train conversations, referencing pop culture. My current series refers to photographs from my family’s family album, rephotographing them in today’s society so there is the element of history as well as contemporary culture.
Do you get to other artists exhibitions, openings etc?
Exhibitions yes, but I don’t get to openings very regularly these days as they’re often at night time. There’s always so much happening in Melbourne and unfortunately I don’t get time to go see everything I’d like to.
Working towards an exhibition, is it a daunting task?
It is, I seem to go through a routine of loving the planning, then procrastinating, doing the work then hating it as I’ve been staring at it forever, hanging it and thinking it’s ok, getting bored and start planning the next series before the current exhibition ends!
Some say the lifespan of many “artists” post educationally is about five years, any thoughts on that?
I totally disagree, I don’t think you can separate an artist from themselves. They just are. You’re constantly evolving and growing as a person and an artist
What has been a turning point in your career thus far and why?
When I started being completely honest with myself. It’s fantastic when you give yourself that freedom.
You know you are successful in Visual Arts when…
You represent Australia at the Venice Biennale!! But seriously… it’s relative to the artist, everyone has their own bench marks.
Is motivation to work an issue for you and how do you overcome it?
Sometimes I think fear holds me back which makes me procrastinate but I overcome it pretty quickly now as I want to be a good role model for my son.
Do you have a challenge knowing when a work is finished?
No, I work instinctively and my eyes tell me when it’s done.
Do you aim to break the rules of basic composition, layout etc or do you ignore the “rules” and just create?
Break the rules of course! I just follow my instincts when I’m working, I hope I’m not predictable..
What about the role of titles with your work, some hate them others revel in them, what about you?
I like coming up with titles, I twist the words around so it looks like they don’t correspond with the works.. but they do.
How important is it to you that your work communicates something to the viewer?
Art is a form of communication so I think it’s very important, it’s a great feeling when the audience connects with your work.
About significant moments in your life, the sort of things that changed things for you forever… perhaps altered your Art… Who how why what and where…?
Having my son, definitely. Time is limited and precious so I try to make everything count.
Do you have much contact with other artists?
I do, and it’s fantastic having that support and understanding
Can you name a favourite artist or three… and why?
Christian Boltanski and Starn brothers for their use of mixed media, Richard Long - I love the presence of time in his work, and I like a sense of humour in art like Van Sowerwine’s film of dolls in a big chase scene, escaping on jet skis and a barbie boat!!
Do you keep an Art Journal or Visual Diary of some kind?
I keep a visual journal that I write words and sentences in, which spring to mind, I sketch down photo ideas and keep images I’m inspired by amongst all the scribblings. I often have ideas just before I go to sleep; it’s a good idea if it’s still there in the morning.
Do you hope the viewer will “get” what you are trying to communicate or do you feel compelled to spell it out to them?
Even though my works are self portraits they have cultural themes which I hope people can relate to, but I like the audience to discover their own meaning from the work.
The business or marketing side of Art can be a challenge to some, what are your thoughts?
It is a lot of work up keeping websites, doing all the admin and there are so many places to upload your work to. It feels like you spend more time on that than actually creating sometimes.
Tell us about your studio environment (too big, too small, enough storage or not, the light, the position, how you found it etc)?
I share a room, aka The Dungeon, with my husband and his music gear. I would LOVE my very own studio space to play in one day!
What is one thing you need to have in your studio before you work?
Probably chocolate? Electricity.
Some artists are more “at home” isolated in their creative process, while others revel in being part of a group to bounce “ideas off” how about you?
I probably sway to isolation being Little Miss Independent, but when I discuss ideas with my friends I usually end up answering my own questions.
Do the seasons affect your work or work habits?
I’d like to say no, but it takes more motivation for night photography in the chilly months.
Are there times of the day when you prefer to do your work?
After the little one’s gone to bed so I can work for a few hours without distractions.
People around you (family friends etc.) what would they say about the way you work, the moods you have, your life as an artist etc?
I’m not sure.. but I do get very absorbed and forget to look up from time to time.
Art as a therapeutic device; do you think it is useful for this purpose and is your work in this category somehow?
Yes and yes. Art keeps me sane…ish.
Is your work process fast or slow?
Both. Sometimes things flow well, sometimes not and you have to push through that horrible barrier.
Some say a measure of an artwork is the ability for it to hold a persons attention or cause the viewer to come back after an initial glance and become captivated by the work, is that so for your works or an intention of yours?
I’ve never set out with that intention but it’s great when the audience spends the time looking into your work, not just taking it at face value.
Are you the sort of artist that seeks out promotional opportunities or one that shuns the limelight?
I’m a typical photographer that hates her photo being taken, I’m not very good at saying cheese.
What do you love/hate about being an artist?
Love the feeling of being completely consumed by it but hate not having the luxury of being able to work when I get an urge.
How do you cope with any low points?
Going to see exhibitions, hanging out with my friends and having a belly laugh.. but you can’t force yourself to come out of these times, I think it has to happen organically
Does some of your current work reflect your earlier works?
There is a continuation of themes but I hope I’m growing as an artist
Do you have ideas turning over in your head all the time or…
Pretty much, I like to keep busy and always have projects on the go. I definitely work better with deadlines.
And often when I’m out and about I see a split second that would make a great photo. It’s then I regret not carrying my camera with me all the time, but I don’t know if those tiny magic moments could be captured anyway.
How did you manage to survive financially at the beginning of your art career?
Working crappy retail jobs. I’ve sworn to myself that I’ll never work retail again!
Was there a point where you decided: OK I can live off of my art?
I do some commercial photography, mostly weddings, which help me to continue my personal work while still practising my art.
Any upcoming or completely new projects you want to talk about?
Aside form the upcoming solo and group shows I already mentioned, I’ve got an idea for an installation for an arts festival in Melbourne’s West later this year which focuses on text and photography and it’ll be a little bit guerrilla, the works won’t be seen in a gallery space.
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Compiled and edited by Amanda van Gils © 2009+
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