Today we’d like to introduce you to Yvonne Gabriel.
Yvonne, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I was born and raised in the Netherlands in a time when TV was not available during the day. The environment and school system were conducive to develop creative skills through lots of outdoor play and attention to arts. I always loved art but was afraid of making a career out of it. Instead, I obtained an RN degree and worked as a nurse, a flight attendant and a tour guide, just to mention a few, however, my sketchbook was never far away.
After living in the Middle East for a year I came to the United States. I worked in Grady Memorial Hospital. I flew for Delta airlines and met my husband. We have two incredible children. After raising them and providing many gratuitous artistic services to schools and churches, it was time to get serious about art. I enrolled in SCAD in Atlanta. It took me five years to obtain my Masters. I have done many formal portraits over the years. Besharat Contemporary art gallery spotted my work and is now representing me.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I paint on canvas with oil. I create portraits and paintings of the figure immersed in water.
Art is about communication. Our verbal communication is imperfect, so we search for other means of arriving at that ideal intersection of explaining ourselves and being understood.
Immersion in water is the subject in many of my paintings. Our presence affects the appearance of the water and we take on the properties of the water, such as color and distortions. It begs the question of what reality is and how it can continually change. Communication is flawed by waves of misinformation and misinterpretation. Like water, our opinions can lack depth and be subject to wind and currents, leaving us grasping for a measure of truth.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
Conditions for artists today have gotten easier and harder at the same time. The internet has made it possible for us to spread the word about our art but at the same time, it has diluted the market. The amount of online art is so massive that the gallery representation starts gaining credibility again to sort through the enormous offerings.
Art has become harder since financial obligations are choking artistic pursuit. If an artist has to work as a teacher or a waiter to support himself, his/her primary energy is spent. Cities have to keep a rent-free, central location available for artists. Let them compete for it. The Olympic village, or some space like it, could be transformed in rent-free art production space, open to the public with events that would bring attention to performance art or installation art.
People love to see artists at work. A dedicated, central location (like Mont Martre In Paris) would draw so many tourists, bringing business to coffeeshops and restaurants.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
www.ygabrielart.com
Visit Besharat gallery in Atlanta
165 Mangum street, Atlanta, GA 30313
http://atlanta.besharatgallery.com
People can support all artists by buying real art, or order a print!
It feels good!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ygabrielart.com http://atlanta.besharatgallery.com
- Instagram: ygabrielart
Image Credit:
Maryann bates photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
