Artist Interviews

Artists

Read artist interviews featuring some of the most exciting established and emerging figures in the art world. Our conversations with contemporary artists get to the heart of what makes them tick, exploring the development of their style, their inspirations and the stories behind their recent work. Discover our artist interviews to get to know the people whose works that you can browse and buy in our online store.

Our top artist interviews

One of our most popular recent interviews was a talk with Nelson Makamo, a South African painter and winner of 2018’s Rise Art Prize known for his expressive portraits. Our conversation with Kelvin Okafor, who creates intricate photorealistic pencil portraits, dove into his unique fusion of the technical and the conceptual. You may also enjoy our interview with Fred Ingrams, in which he discusses both his technical process and what drew him to start painting the Fens.

Interviews you won’t want to miss

Among our contemporary artist interviews, you will find our Q&A with Philip Vaughan, author of the landmark 48ft-tall Light Tower which graced the London skyline from 1972 to 2008. You can read about the machinations and motivations driving rising star Anna Sofie Jesperson. Our interview with Mark Chadwick may also be of interest, where the colour master shines a light on the inspiration behind his vibrant abstract paintings.

Gina Parr: Inching Forward, Circling Back, Always Daring to Be Brave

We caught up with Gina Parr to explore the inspirations and intentions behind her latest work and her creative journey. Describing her art as a "pot pourri of experiences," she crafts pieces that seem to simultaneously expand and contract—a process of releasing darkness while making space for joy. Through her work, she navigates the complexities of a traumatic childhood, transforming emotion into visual expression.

By Sophie Heatley | 10 Apr 2025

Tabitha Soren: Motherload

Tabitha Soren reflects on the inspiration behind her latest photographic series, Motherload. Initially conceived as a way to balance her roles as both a mother and an artist, the project quickly grew into a bold exploration of whether it's truly possible to reconcile motherhood with creative success.

By Rise Art | 26 Mar 2025

Organised artistic rebellion with Habib Hajallie

Through his intricate ballpoint pen drawings and use of antique texts, Habib Hajallie explores the powerful connection between art and music, creating multi-sensory experiences that challenge the way we perceive history and identity. In this article, we discuss the "sound of form" in his work, the echoes of cultural narratives, and the embodied, almost musical act of composition.

By Sophie Heatley | 17 Mar 2025

Anysia Nefissi: Capturing the invisible through shapes and colours

Featured in The Sound of Form exhibition, Anysia Nefissi gives form to the formless. Through a subtle interplay of colour and shape, her works vibrate with sensory poetry. Each canvas becomes a passageway, an invitation to feel the echo of emotions, memories and spaces buried within us.

By Cécile Martet | 10 Feb 2025

Tom Waugh: The Ghost of Consumers Past

By juxtaposing the permanence of stone and marble with the transience of disposable objects, Waugh sparks an open and dissonant dialogue between piece and ponderer on consumerist culture, material value, and social norms.

By Sophie Heatley | 16 Jan 2025

Nelson Ijakaa: “I want people to look at the work I make and see universality.”

Nelson Ijakaa on decolonising AI, championing social justice, and rewriting art history.

By Sophie Heatley | 15 Jan 2025

Stitching Stories: Healing Through Paint and Thread with Sophie Anne Wyth

From vibrant oils to intricate threadwork, discover how Sophie Anne Wyth connects intuition, movement, and the fragility of the present moment through her deeply personal process.

By Rise Art | 06 Jan 2025

The Artist's Way: Alla Grande and Eni Pullumbi on Transforming Interiors With Textiles

Textile art is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, celebrated for its ability to infuse spaces with texture, warmth, and personality. In this exclusive feature, contemporary artists Alla Grande and Eni Pullumbi share their contrasting approaches and creative processes, offering a glimpse into the boundless potential of textiles in contemporary art and interior design.

By Cecile Martet | 12 Dec 2024

The Artist’s Way: Making Statements at Home with Heidi Lanino and Michelle House

We’re forever inspired by artists who dare to create works without traditional gallery spaces in mind. Textile art and ceramics are reshaping how we experience the modern home, offering objects that blur the line between functionality and fine art.

By Sophie Heatley | 02 Dec 2024

The Artist’s Way: Creating a Gallery Wall with Anna Sudbina

Step inside the mind of acclaimed artist Anna Sudbina, as she shares a creator’s unique perspective on curating gallery walls that transcend aesthetics. With an insider’s understanding of her own work, Sudbina knows exactly how to make each piece stand out and evoke its deepest meaning.

By Sophie Heatley | 27 Nov 2024