Mirror mirror on the wall, show the most fashionable country of them all. The Metropolitan Museum of Art plans to do just that in spring 2015 where it will display China: Through the...
INTERVIEW: FAHREN FEINGOLD CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN ART
June 25, 2018 6:00 PM
The name of contemporary American artist Fahren Feingold has become synonymous with fluid, feminine watercolours in her enigmatic paintings and illustrations. Her elegant fashion illustrations recall images of women in various stages and chapters of life. Her unique works impart an ethereal quality through her depictions of the female form. Her images featuring bold watercolours and distinctive silhuettes of the feminine form reference imagery from early 20th century French erotica, vintage American magazines from the 70s and 80s, and today's internet girls.
-----FAHREN FEINGOLD INTERVIEW-----
1. Fahren, would you like to introduce yourself and your work?
FF: My name is Fahren Feingold, I’m a painter living in Los Angeles, and the focus of my work is female nude figures.
2. What made you leave fashion design and revisit your painting? And how was the transition?
FF: I left fashion design for several reasons. The work was no longer creatively satisfying, I felt taken advantage of by brand owners who wanted us to work long hours in return for little pay and even less kindness. Making the transition from fashion design to painting was a wavy road. I did not know exactly what my voice or style was, I had never before used watercolors, and I was new to sharing my work on social media. There was a great deal of self-exploration in both my work and personally.
3. You paint mostly feminine nude, and what do the femininity and nudeness mean to you, which seems to be very essential elements in your artwork.
FF: I have always loved drawing and painting the nude form, and I particularly like painting women. The female body is beautiful. I paint mostly women not just because of beauty, but because I can relate to the way women move, feel, emote. There is a language that our bodies create with movement and gestures, being in tune with your femininity helps to connect you to other women with this unspoken language.
4. Why the watercolours? What is the beauty of watercolours?
FF: watercolors are such a gentle and poetic medium, they whisper to the observer rather than cry out for attention. Often, one’s message can be heard more clearly like this, and for me, it felt like a nice juxtaposition for important topics of feminine equality and what has become controversial subject matters.
5. In your paintings, all the colors are being beautifully blended together. Do you follow your instinct choice when it comes to selecting color? Or you plan it out in advance?
FF: I always use my intuition when it comes to colors. Whenever I plan a color scheme in advance, I always end up throwing it out the window once I start working. Colors are very much a feeling and an intuition.
6. Do you have a favorite fashion brand? Any specific brand you wish to collaborate in the future?
FF: there are so many amazing designers. I am in talks with a few for possible collaborations -so please follow to see what comes =)
7. Could you tell us about this “The Peep Show” in collaboration with Fleur du Mal?
FF: Many of my subjects are referenced from early 1900s French nude photos as well as vintage 70s erotic imagery. Fleur du Mal’s aesthetic is very much based in 70’s Parisienne romanticism but still has an edge to it. My aesthetic has always centered on juxtaposing objectives. Watery and dreamlike colors used for subject matter that feels forthright and exposed. Using beauty to seduce the viewer into listening to my message, or at least taking a moment to look at the painting. The gallery space is intimate and creates a unique environment for the viewer. Le Peep Show is like a secret room, you get to steal a private moment, away from the busy everyday hustle - share a cocktail and a secret with a painting.
8. How would you want your artwork to be remembered by the audiences?
FF: I would like to be remembered as a unique artist who painted timeless women, breaking down barriers of censorship.
9. What is your ultimate goal as an artist?
FF: To create beautiful works of art, that leave a lasting impression, and inspire other artists.
INTERVIEW BY BORA YON
PHOTO CREDIT: FAHREN FEINGOLD
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