Degree Show 2020: Meet this year's graduates - Annelie Solis

Introduce yourself and your work. What ideas and themes are important to you?

I am a Trinidadian artist exploring cosmological and astronomical imagery using materials provided by the Earth. My work is influenced by the playful forms and the meticulous techniques of Indian miniature painting, though my aim is to transcend cultural boundaries and express the wonders of the universe which is home to us all!

What materials do you use? Why are they important to your practice?

I use natural pigments, many that I’ve foraged myself. It’s just the most deeply satisfying process to find colours in nature and lovingly collect and process them into paints! And if it’s all about harmony with nature, how can I possibly paint symbols of beauty and connection using materials that in any way cause harm to humans, animals, or the natural environment? My journey with foraging is just beginning but I eventually want to transition to using completely organic and ethical materials!

Describe your studio to us – what would we find?

I don't really have a studio right now but wherever I am working, there shall be found a whole lot of rocks, shells, and jam jars!

How has the lock-down influenced your work? What new things have emerged in your work because of the restrictions?

I was definitely working with limited materials and space so I had to adapt some of the ideas I had originally, but I think it caused a lot of new ideas to emerge that I may not have thought of before. I know that's vague, but I guess I can't really put my finger on it... I think the lockdown was a challenge but also a blessing.

What drew you to the School, and what do you want to remember about these last two years?

What drew me to the School was the opportunity to be immersed in arts that are based on authentic spiritual truths, and to learn such a wide range of crafts from masters in their fields. It has been such an enriching experience, I don't want to forget any of it! What's really uplifted me though has been going into the studio and being a part of a community of creatives that I can connect with, learn from and be inspired by every day.

When we’re all able to be out in the world again, what are your hopes?

One thing is that I really hope to be able to exhibit my work again! Since I've started using natural materials, I've found more than ever that to really experience a piece of art, you have to be with it in person, to see the textures and the way the pigments shimmer and interact with the light. It's a whole different thing from seeing it on a screen.

About this year's Degree Show:

This year, we will be showcasing our graduates' work online from 6 August to 6 September 2020.

Work will be available to buy directly from the students.