Simone Cotrell is a self-taught academic artist. She started off simply drawing as soon as she could grip a pencil correctly. Down the line, and from attending the visual arts program at university; she grew a love for printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, and painting. Her works are vibrant, eclectic, and abstract in style and pay homage to her heritage and to the BIPOC community. Self-love and acceptance play a huge role in her works of art and are one of the main focuses throughout her process.
Her style is a combination of both abstraction and realism. She enjoys mixing geometry and fluidness as well as congruous line work into her creations. With her raw freeform style, she achieves to portray the true beauty and uniqueness of the people in the BIPOC community and their existence while telling their untold stories. Her aim is to thoroughly educate the viewers that the BIPOC community is not only worthy of praise and idolization, but they are also exquisite works of art. Her work is a reminder that they do not just fit into the boxes set for them, but they fill entire atmospheres.
As Guest Curator at Minds Eye Studio Art Gallery and Yoga Studio, I am pleased to present Simone’s work at the gallery this month. Keep reading to find out more about Simone before the artist reception. Artist reception info is here.
Why did you call this exhibition Prelude?
This exhibition is only the beginning and first of many yet to come. Prelude is merely the appetizer. Very tasty, yes it’s the starter; yet very important and only the beginning of the full course. I chose the name Prelude for this exact reason. This exhibition is the beginning of something even more important.
What has been the highlight of your artistic career so far?
So far, the highlight of my artistic career has been being able to bloom in the city I was born and raised in. The feeling is like that of a full 360 moment. My craft started here in Kitchener and in between my growth, started to blossom in other cities and places. However, the true continuation of my growth only started to happen after returning to where it all started. It’s all very bittersweet.
What is your dream creative project?
Although working alongside well known artists and having my works housed in top museums and art galleries would be a beautiful thing, my dream (but also realistic) creative project would be to be able to have a chain of well credited and well-known galleries around the world for the artists of the BIPOC community. With this I can display, house, and celebrate the artist's works. It’s like having multiple safe spaces where we can thrive and shine endlessly.
What is your typical day like? How do you balance your creative projects?
My days typically consist of mothering, artistry and course work. I am a mother to three beautiful mini creatives. My days are always consumed by the three of them. Between schooling for the kiddies and schooling for myself, I balance creating new works for myself, others and with them as well as collaborating. It is very tough at times, but I always work through it. I’ve found a way to blend the time I need for myself, whether it be for course work or creation, with mothering. For example, if it is time for course work, we all do course work. Or if it is time for creation, we are all creating together. It’s a balance that really used to be difficult for me, however over the years it has managed to become a lot more fluid.
The works in this exhibition are female figures. Do you use yourself or anyone specific as a reference when you are creating, or are the figures meant to be open to interpretation?
A lot of the inspiration for my works I pull from my own self/experiences as well as from living vicariously through the women I surround myself with. Although most of my works are personal or for myself, they are always open for interpretation for my viewers. I tend to not make the finished product feel completely personal and more so make them for everyone. Having the viewer be able to connect to, feel or translate my works is such a blessing for me. It really reassures me that what I’m doing is working.
What do you hope people will take away from your exhibition?
My hope for this exhibition is that my viewers take away exactly what I aim to portray. Us women of colour are cut from a cloth so unique and out of the norm. We shine and fill spaces in ways most people can’t explain or interpret on their own. Even though we know we can shake things, we tend to break them because we don’t just “fit”. We are the raw blueprint that is often imitated but can never be duplicated, and that is what I want my viewers to feel and take from this exhibition. My intent is for them to see the true boldness and fluidity of us women of colour and to not just under-stand but over-stand our true beauty.
What comes after Prelude?
After Prelude comes the extension. More creations, collaborations, exhibitions, partnerships etc. We all just have to see as we go. So, stay tuned.
Follow Simone on Instagram.
I hope to see some local readers at Simone’s artist reception on Friday, April 22. The exhibition is up all month long and private viewings are available.
Interview by Glodeane Brown
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