Simone Linssen has been an artist for as long as she can remember. First becoming serious about a career in art while living on the Sunshine Coast, Simone completed a Diploma of Visual Art in Noosa. After graduating, she had a few years away from the brushes and became an area manager for a retail company. It was only after visiting some of the most beautiful galleries and artworks during a trip to Europe in 2011 that prompted Simone to take control of her artistic career. She packed up her life and moved to Brisbane to complete a Bachelor of Fine Art, and though it was difficult leaving everything behind and starting again, it became one of the best decisions she’s ever made. Simone now works as a Curator and Gallery Director, managing exhibitions, art awards, auctions and international art fairs.
“While completing my Bachelor of Fine Art I became interested in anxiety and loneliness and have continued to work with these subjects through my paintings. Through research I came to understand anxiety and loneliness affects a significant part of the population and its effects are widespread. I find art is important for understanding these emotions in contemporary culture, being able to provide a positive response through self-reflection, empathy and understanding.” – Simone Linssen.
What medium(s) do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
I work with oil on canvas mostly. I started out mostly with drawing but moved to painting in 2006. I found painting to be more difficult but much more rewarding.
Can you elaborate a little more on your making process — how does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
I usually start with a message I would like to portray, then think about the ways I can portray it with mark making, colours and compositions. I make a series of sketches in a visual diary. The next step is to recreate the ideas with photography which I use as reference images. From there I create final compositions which then translates to a canvas. I choose the canvas size depending on the message I’m trying to portray. Smaller canvases for more intimate and personal works, large canvases are chosen for a more overwhelming message. The colour scheme is usually chosen as the last step when I’m firm on the final message I wish to convey.
Who or what are the biggest influences on your work?
I have a few. Francis Bacon’s ‘Figure with a Wash Basin’ was a big influence. I love the way he captured a moment of hysteria, featuring a figure trying to escape through a wash basin. My works often explore elements of anxiety and needing to hide in obscure places. Anne Wallace is another big inspiration with her use of suspense and creeping dread throughout her paintings. Madonna Staunton’s use of interiors and colours is also a big inspiration.
How do you keep your creative juices flowing? How do you push past creative block?
Going to an art gallery or listening to astrophysics podcasts usually works for me, something about delving in to some new and exciting ways of thinking. If that doesn’t work… Just keep working! Something will eventually come about even if there’s a few failures before the gems.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
While studying I had a little studio space on the Brisbane river with a lot of other students. It was a great space for feeding off other people’s ideas. I now have my own studio space at home. It’s different not being able to bounce ideas off other people, but on the plus side I’m able to really delve in to ideas without being interrupted. It’s a cosy space with views of the garden. I have a cabinet full of my favourite artworks, trinkets and books, which is great for inspiration.
If you could go on an Artist’s Residency anywhere in the world, where would that be and why?
Adrien Ghenie… He is my absolute favourite artist.
What’s next for you after your time at Brunswick Street Gallery? What upcoming projects are you working on now?
I’ve started working towards a new body of work which is a carry on from ‘Duality’. Featuring figures in interiors and some landscapes, tackling issues of anxiety and loneliness. I’m currently working on a few similar to ‘Wallflower IV’, featuring figures attempting to hide in ridiculous places in a moment of panic.
Simone Linssen’s solo exhibition, Duality is currently on exhibition until 28 March. View the catalogue here.