Interview with Andrea Ehret
Where are you from and where is your Art practice based currently?
I am from Slovakia. a small but beautiful country in central Europe. I’m currently based in Prague, Czech Republic.
Do you have a formal Art Education or are you Self Taught?
I have a formal University degree in Art Education & Arts.
Where do you look for inspiration? What themes do you find more interesting?
I find my inspiration everywhere I go, my life, people I meet, touch, look or just a cloud I see in the morning. Ocean waves. Conscious observation. Present moment. Connections and energy.
Have any Women Abstract Artists influenced your work? Which current Artists do you admire?
I absolutely adore the most amazing fierce Marina Abramovic and her process of work, I love the work of Artemisia Gentileschi, I admire Frida for being an absolute all time icon. Helen Frankenthaler and Rita Ackermann for their masterwork!
Do you identify most with a specific Art Abstract genre?
I believe there is no need to put a label on everything. I think my art has the qualities of strong expression but often tends to feel lyrical or spiritual in contrast to some strong gestural paintings.
Can you tell us about your process?
My process is the combination of expressive abstract mixed media- acrylics, inks, sumi ink, organic and metallic pigments in layers.
There is a huge difference whether I work on my more intimate, meditative calligraphy works, using moment of concentration & meditation and then executing the gesture in the right momentum VS creating large abstracts on canvas over layers and time where you can actually feel the building up of the painting’s history and vibe.
Where can you see your works?
My works are spread around the world, part of my collection you can see in London, NoonPowell Fine Art Gallery;
I have representation in China, US, UK, Germany and other countries. I’m currently working on a few very interesting projects/ exhibitions. I’m preparing a duo show in Galeria SPP in Slovakia with my artist friend Ivana Orviska.
I’m also working with the most wonderful charity interactive project SAFE SPACES where i collaborate with @artconnectwomen & Valentine Svihalek, and another great project/show/auction also partly charity oriented with the organisation @fpohybu where we try to point out the importance of diversity and different perspective - movement-life-art-disability.
All will be presented in Prague galleries in the upcoming year and together with a few international shows I am preparing, my hands and heart are full.
IG @andreacircles
https://www.kooness.com/artworks/andrea-ehret-she-wears-the-sea-paintings-165978-165981
How has being a Woman affected your Arts career? Any challenges?
Being a woman artist tremendously affected my career, I feel constantly torn between being mother and being an artist, asking myself whether one can manage this without feeling guilty one way or another?
I still remember how one of my curators reacted back when I told him I was expecting my son. He didn’t congratulate me nor wished me good luck. He was quiet for a while then he said: ok, it’s not going to be easy for you for a while.
My practice certainly has changed drastically once I had my son. All of a sudden working on large scale oils was a bit of a problem with a baby. I started to do more contemplative intimate smaller works while he was having his naps and implemented watercolor and inks. This actually led me to the mixed media technique I use now in my abstract works, back to large scale paintings.
I realize now how motherhood not only changed me as a person but also as an artist.
What advice would you give to other Abstract Women Artists entering the Art world?
There are lots of messages in this world, including from well-known artists without children that being an artist OR a mother is a decision that a woman has to make if she is to make it in the art world. I find these offensive, incorrect, and sexist.
I have never heard of this message being told to a man. I work as freely and publicly as I can, to try to be a visible role model.
