CHAOTiC caLm - iNKTERAKTiV

iNKTERAKTiV’s pieces often start from a simple visual trigger, like the patterns of leaves flicking in the wind on a walk, or the reflections of sunlight on buildings at sunset. A simple sketch on a napkin transfers to a more developed idea in her library of sketchbooks.

While enjoying her own experimentations, iNKTERAKTiV also likes the challenge of aligning her creative voice to the requirements of a client or a fellow artist collaboration, finding it really satisfying to merge someone else’s vision with her own aesthetic. 

Pieces can start from a wide range of inspirations, usually centered around a word or theme. Then, iNKTERAKTiV breathes more life into the idea by creating little physical mockups as a test run for the final piece - creating cohesion between her pieces and providing her with opportunity for greater creative exploration as she can push the constraints of the theme.

iNKTERAKTiV’s daily routine usually starts with a swim and a nice walk to the studio with her dog. Getting the more mundane activities out of the way first, like invoicing and emails, social media content and other aspects of working for one self, means she can focus on the creative process for the rest of the day.

When a project gets going, it is all in the planning. Researching paper weight and finding the right type of paper, precutting paper strips, measuring and cutting mountboards and paper backgrounds, planning out the composition, tracing the design, gluing the strips down. It’s all part of a day’s work. iNKTERAKTiV likes to allow flexibility in her work, letting it change or adapt to something different than what it was originally intended.

While spending almost 30 years in the commercial design world, iNKTERAKTiV continued pursuing artistic activities outside working hours, dreaming of making art a full time endeavour in the future.

In 2012, a 6 month stay in hospital followed by a decade of physical and mental rehabilitation, gave iNKTERAKTiV a new perspective on life. She had not created art for herself in years, but a therapist pointed out that art and creative activities are great for managing anxiety, which for her were surrounding her medical situation. 

After pouring over old portfolios from university, iNKTERAKTiV rediscovered her love of sculpture and paper as a medium.

Paper as a medium is at the heart of iNKTERAKTiV’s work. As an organic, flexible material it allows her to explore the relationships between nature and the more structured urban environments she has always been drawn to. 

iNKTERAKTiV found solace in the familiarity of paper. Growing up moving around, paper was an accessible material, easy to find no matter where she relocated to. She remembers making paper furniture and accessories for her toys as a child.