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.

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

Rachel Mercer: "The painterly surface becomes a conduit for emotion and feeling."

We caught up with contemporary artist Rachel Mercer on overlapping disciplines, capturing the "presentness" of a moment through direct mark-making, the multi-dimensional nature of memory, and more.

By Rise Art | 13 Nov 2024

The Senses and Biophilia | Laura Basterra Sanz

"I’ve learned that relying solely on intellect to choose colours can prevent the magic of unexpected discoveries during the process—especially when mixing colours in response to the moment."

By Rise Art | 05 Nov 2024

"I like chicken" and Other Stories with Sabrina Shah

Sabrina Shah's artwork delves into a variety of rich themes, using familiar cartoon characters and popular tropes as metaphors for emotions, personality traits, and human compulsions. Her work navigates the dynamic tension between light and dark, often employing playful motifs like games, wordplay, and storytelling. By blending whimsical elements with deeper, introspective meaning, Shah offers layered interpretations of the struggle to simply be human.

By Sophie Heatley | 30 Sept 2024

Neon Art: Interview with Laura Benetton

"Art and science, for me, are two sides of the same coin, each informing and enriching the other. My work with neon is deeply rooted in this fusion, where the precision of scientific principles meets the emotional expressiveness of art."

By Sophie Heatley | 12 Sept 2024

Kineasthesia: Rémi Delaplace on Gravitation, Trajectory, and Levitation

Through abstract compositions, Rémi Delaplace explores the notions of gravitation, trajectory, and levitation. His paintings create spatial narratives that evoke the dynamics of bodies and objects in space.

By Cécile Martet | 21 Aug 2024

Kinaesthesia: Miguel Ripoll on Art in the AI Era

Rise Art met with Miguel Ripoll to discuss his exploration and subversion of the long-established themes and traditions of artistic praxis and how he aims to navigate our increasingly complex and hyper-connected existence.

By Sophie Heatley | 20 Aug 2024

Kinaesthesia: Zhou Yiyan

We spoke with multidisciplinary artist Zhou Yiyan who, keenly interested in illustrating the fluidity of movement and bodily expression, explores the coexistence of opposites and the transformation of materials through sculpture, drawing, music, and dance.

By Rise Art | 08 Aug 2024