This Woman’s Work: Words of Advice, Encouragement and Creativity
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In Conversation with Our 2024 Women’s Month Exhibiting Artists
Group shows serve the perfect opportunity to accentuate and celebrate difference, bringing together work that perhaps would have never sat side by side. Through collaboration, artists are able to learn from one another, discovering new perspectives that they may have never thought of before.
As much as group shows highlight our contrasts, they’re equally as good at finding our similarities. It’s a moment for reflection and understanding; a joining of forces that can reveal connection, comparison and harmony in the most contradictory pieces. The point of correlation can be a fairly simple idea at first, but a deeper dive into one’s common ground can open up a wealth of shared experience; something that ‘This Woman’s Work’ looks to explore.
In honour of Women’s History Month, Dark Yellow Dot proudly presents our annual group showcase, spanning across two London sites.‘This Woman’s Work: Celebrating Women’ is a dynamic exploration of the unique approaches, narratives, and visions that female artists bring to the forefront of the art world. Each artwork serves as a testament to the resilience, creativity, and ingenuity of women in the contemporary art scene.
Through their differences, we found resemblance. Each artist has their own story to tell, acknowledging their heritage, lifestyle and creativity and culture. Their diverse and compelling backgrounds add important parts to the overarching conversation, going beyond the women present in the show. It’s only when we listen to all of their voices, do we start to unearth the full picture.
As part of their inclusion in the show, Dark Yellow Dot had the exciting opportunity to hear from some of the artists firsthand, gaining insight on a number of prominent and intriguing topics of conversation.
How do you keep your creativity alive?
Judy Clarkson, Figurative Artist originally from Harrogate:
I think the main thing is to keep working every day. Sometimes it’s hard to get going, but eventually you become absorbed in the paint and the magic happens.
Ella Jackson, Artist and Central Saint Martins graduate:
Much of my inspiration currently comes from seeing my friends and family. Noticing how they interact with one another and feeling how I interact with them feeds into my work. I also find time by myself important, being able to sit and digest my ideas and eventually develop them into a composition. Going on walks in between time in my studio is hugely beneficial to me and keeps me creating for longer.
Nandi Elewa-Gidado, South London based Artist:
Jotting down any and all ideas into a dedicated place in my notes, so I can always refer back whenever I get an art block! Within the last year I’ve been taking videos and creating art from these ‘visual memories’ to post onto social media.
- Image: Ella Jackson (left) and Nandi Elewa-Gidado (right).
Sadie Aston, Artist and Painting Specialist Technician Demonstrator:
I believe that the key to maintaining creativity is to be kind to yourself, take breaks when necessary, and create things that you genuinely enjoy, rather than simply following trends or pleasing others. Those who are most creative are often those who are willing to take risks and try new things, embracing their mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow. Playfulness and experimentation are crucial components of a creative mindset, and should always be valued.
How do you overcome imposter syndrome?
Jessica Da Silva Oleiro, Artist & Teacher:
To fight feeling like a fake, I remind myself of the hard work I put into my art. It’s not just about being talented; you have to bravely show your art to get noticed. Making a variety of artwork helps build a strong portfolio and challenges you to be creative.
How did you find your purpose?
Sandy Ching-Yu Chiu, Artist based in Letchworth Garden City:
I was searching for a purpose for a very long time. I am interested in many things but never managed to stick with any hobbies. Since I was a kid, being creative has always come naturally to me, but I thought it’s the same for everyone. It was not until later in life, I started reflecting on how much I feel in the flow while creating anything. During the pandemic I experienced burnt out, and that’s when I started to ask myself if there’s anything in the world I could do, what would that be. After trial and error, I discovered what I always wanted to be: an artist.
- Image: Jessica Da Silva Oleiro (left), Sadie Aston (middle) and Sandy Ching-Yu Chiu (right).
Rebecca Lesley, Fine Artist and Textiles Artist for Film:
I’ve always been a daydreamer, sketching pictures and making things. As a child I was behind in my learning and socialising, that along with a tumultuous home life meant that art was (and remains) my place of comfort.
Are there specific experiences, events, or emotions that influenced the creation of the artworks showcased in this exhibition?
Leah Germann, Artist and Designer living in St Leonards on Sea:
These paintings are part of a larger theme I’ve been working with for some time. But the figurative side was born from the desire to try a more literal depiction. I could tell a story with a figurative scene in a way that I hadn’t been able to before with my more abstract side, even though the same thoughts influenced both.
- Image: Work by Leah Germann
How have you overcome creative blocks?
Sadie Aston:
There are days when I don’t feel like painting or don’t know what to paint. During those moments, I turn to other modes of enjoyment. I might collect different reference materials or spend two weeks creating watercolour sketches. I also allow myself time to feel through that block. By taking my focus away from the pressure to create something, I make room for creative energies to flow.
Nandi Elewa-Gidado:
I make sure that I don’t force myself to create… I want the process to be enjoyable so I’ll happily have downtime whenever I feel like it!
Ella Jackson:
I find going back to informal research really helpful when I am not sure where to go next with my work. Going to art galleries, revisiting art books I have around my studio, stalking some of my favourite contemporary artists’ instagram pages or just simply sitting in my studio. These simple activities usually spark something, whether it is just a colour I want to use or a whole compositional idea.
- Image: Judy Clarkson (left) and work by Arzoo Azad (right)
Judy Clarkson:
I did have a long period after college when I didn’t paint at all. I always kept up life drawing, though, and when I did start painting again, I drew on this experience.
What are you hoping people take away from this exhibition?
Leah Germann:
I’m hesitant to suggest how people should respond, but I’m hoping, as with any work, that it resonates in some fashion. If they pick up on ideas I was exploring when making the work then all the better. It’s difficult to pinpoint my thoughts when planning them but I was grappling with the inherent contradictions I see in mundane, everyday life tasks – how they can be simultaneously banal, meaningful and absurd.
- Image: Work by Bims Ayorinde (left) and Ella Jackson (right).
Where do you get your resilience from?
Jessica Da Silva Oleiro:
I stay strong in my art because I really love creating. The joy I get from making art keeps me going, even when things get tough.
How do you persist despite the haters/naysayers?
Sandy Ching-Yu Chiu:
It can be very difficult especially for your loved ones. Most people don’t understand, especially if you’ve only just started. I find connecting with other artists really helps. Also, I read stories from other artists to help reaffirm my belief. Affirmations help to stay in touch with your vision, be true to yourself and make sure you’re happy with what you’re doing.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey?
Ella Jackson:
With regards to skills, I think being able to build my own canvases has been really important. It is part of the whole process of my paintings, deciding the dimensions of the piece, building the frame, deciding the material to stretch and then priming. The biggest area of knowledge that impacts every piece that I make is colour. Deciding on which colours to use together has come down to just experimenting with lots of combinations. I work on top of colour rather than a blank canvas, so how this manipulates the next layer of paint has been an intriguing point of exploration. Something I keep trying to remind myself is that the work I am making is for myself. As soon as I start making a piece that I am not invested in or make work for a particular brief or purpose, I feel I lose my connection with it.
Rebecca Lesley:
First and foremost have grit. Don’t listen to the cynics. If I had listened to them, I would probably be working in some office job that I hate and still cursing myself for being ‘stupid’. Persistence pays off, whether that’s in terms of refining your skills or getting opportunities. Secondly, figure out what your core values are and use them to guide your practice. Ask yourself why are you doing this in the first place? Finally, keep creating. Lean into each new interest and see where it takes you, see how it combines with your other skills. Creativity can ebb and flow, leading to allsorts of pursuits.
- Image: Work by Rebecca Lesley (left), Yvadney Davis (middle) and Sandy Ching-Yu Chiu (right).
Sadie Aston:
Throughout my journey as an artist, I have learned an important skill – letting go of control and allowing the paint to guide me. Another key skill I’ve learned is to give myself permission to make mistakes and learn from them. I’ve found that my best work often comes from months of experimentation and making “bad” art. Lastly, I’ve learned the importance of creating my own opportunities while also making the most of those that come my way.
Nandi Elewa-Gidado
1. Experimenting, trying out all sorts of mediums throughout the years to get an understanding of how different materials work.
2. Collaboration, seeking advice/tips from other arty peers as well as physically engaging in sharing ideas.
3. Life drawing, during sixth form this got me to really hone in on understanding proportions… It’s good having this knowledge and slowly drifting off to build your own ‘style’.
- Work by Sadie Aston (left), Robin Clark (top) and Sandy Matta (bottom).
Judy Clarkson:
I’ve always been driven to draw from life – beginning with my cat when I was a child! Life drawing on my foundation course was a revelation, and further trained my hand-eye skills. Thirdly, sheer persistence is where my vision is realised. I can work on a detail such as a hand, sometimes for weeks until it feels right.
What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve?
Rebecca Lesley:
The internet has many faults but it’s fantastic for learning for free. I learnt how to paint by watching process videos by other artists on Instagram and Youtube. You can use Google to find local art enterprises who can help you figure out your first steps as an artist. There are hundreds of blogs with advice on how to write your artist bio and artist statement. Social media and websites are full of posts for free open calls and artist residency applications. Social media is free advertising for your work, you don’t need to pay for a website yet if you’re just starting out.
Jessica Da Silva Oleiro:
For those starting out, don’t be afraid to share your art. Connect with the art community, attend events, and join exhibitions. Meeting other artists and potential customers at markets is great. The more you show your art, the more you’ll believe in yourself as an artist. Embrace opportunities to grow and share your work.
- Work by Nandi Elewa-Gidado (left) and Jessica Da Silva Oleiro (left).
Sandy Ching-Yu Chiu:
To listen to your intuition, and explore what sparks your interests, but don’t worry about having to settle on only one thing or changing your mind. Everyone is different, it is not necessary to be interested in one thing.
What is the best thing you’ve taken away from this opportunity?
Leah Germann:
I’m very pleased to have the chance for the paintings to be out in the world and seen by a wider group of people. And it’s great to be invited to be part of this group of women showing. I’m looking forward to being introduced to the work of women I didn’t previously know.
Don’t forget to check out ‘This Woman’s Work’ before the 12th April at 1B Window Gallery and before the 30th April at Genesis Cinema. And if you did miss the show, then discover what’s currently on show here.
