Conversations | Elléna Lourens

Elléna is an artist living in Capetown, South Africa

Describe your work as if you're speaking to a 5 year old.

I make pictures that try to show or give a feeling - like safe or calm or sad, or something that can’t have a name. And I try to show this through the different ways people move their bodies, alone or with someone else. I mostly use colours like red and orange, like clay or sunsets.

Your preferred method of getting that good creative vibe going.

When I’m starting to design or conceptualize a new work, I like to be alone. Once I’ve exhausted any distractions and can focus, I usually set up a place to sketch and then keep going until I get it right.

One living artist or designer you want to have cocktails with.

I would love to have cocktails with Luca Guadagnino.

What drives you absolutely nuts about the (art) world?

I get very frustrated at the disconnect between people's understanding of art and the value of an artist's time. 

A quote or lyric that your brain won’t shake.

‘The process should be the reward’.

A time you surprised yourself by the art you created.

Honestly, every single time I attempt a realism piece the results are surprising to me. Most recently I painted this mural of my younger sister in a dilapidated crayfish factory up the west coast of South Africa.

Most recent song you've been listening to on repeat.

Bug by Fontaines DC.

Last book you read that you couldn't put down.

Commando by Deneys Reitz on his time in the Boer War.

Do you take in a song's lyrics or melody first?

Hmm.. hard to say but probably the lyrics.

Advice, compliment, insult...something that you will never forget.

To paraphrase, ‘no thought worth having can’t be maintained whilst on a walk’.

What podcast or show are you recommending that others may not have heard/seen?

 I would definitely recommend Scavengers Reign.

If someone asks you to cook your "specialty" - what are you cooking?

My go-to would be a dahl ... or if anyone is sick, a chicken soup.

What was the most memorable field trip you can remember going on?

When I was nine, we went on a trip to a farm where we were taught how cob houses are built, and for some reason that one always stuck with me.

A piece of art in your home that you LOVE.

I am currently on the road, and all my belongings are in my fathers attic, but a piece of art that I was recently gifted by a dear friend of mine, Faith XLVII which I absolutely love is ‘The Light of Thee’

Huge shout out to ______ for ______!

Paulo Coelho for writing The Alchemist!

Check out more of Elléna's work here.