Arie Vardi

Colinton Arts spoke to expressive landscape painter Arie Vardi about his life and influences.

Colinton Arts (CA): Arie, thanks for taking the time to talk to us.

Arie Vardi (AV): My pleasure

CA: Please tell us how you got started in art.

AV: I always drew as a child. I was mesmerized by the sculptures in the parks and by the sea and pictures in books – mainly comics. I was always making something, always creating – even if this sometimes got me into trouble!

CA: To be honest, that sounds more like fun than trouble. What can you tell us about where you get your current influences from?

AV: I find influences almost in everything, really. Saying that, nature is a big theme for me, so if I have to choose one area of major influence, then yes, it’s mostly from nature. It’s nature with its continuous change… nature creating its own story, that I find inspiration in.

CA: How would you say do these major influences show through in your art?

AV: I like to create emotive paintings in response to the subject matter. To do this, I like using colour to bring the light, emotions and thoughts through.

CA: What relationship would you like the viewer to have with your art?

AV: I aspire to inspire, uplift the spirits, stay connected with the viewer… but you know, what you see in the depends on what you are looking for.

CA: How does your art express a story?

AV: As an artist, I gaze upon a reality then create my own version. I like the viewer to gaze at my version and create their own story.

CA: Do you take inspiration from any specific art movements?

AV: Not consciously no, as I find this confusing when it comes to creating my own story.

CA: How easy or not, have you found it to be creative during the pandemic?

AV: I’m lucky to have a studio and a large garden, so there was time to reflect. And there was lots of lime pointing work, which is very therapeutic and quite a few commissions to finish… so, overall, not too bad I’d say.

CA: What other forms of art inspire you?

AV: I like making jewellery into wearable art. There’s a real opportunity to do something new.

CA: Do you listen to music when you’re creating new works?

AV: Not really, no. I prefer to play on the conga drums I have in the studio between and during paintings.

CA: Arie Vardi, thank you.