JULIA VANDERBYL: @JULIAVANDERBYL

 

 

JULIA VANDERBYL

@JULIAVANDERBYL

Julia is an incredible painter who lives and works in Australia. Her figurative and abstracted work presents itself in the glorious space between our binary ideologies that are present in our physical world. 


The figures in the works escape from their landscapes, the natural world. Dichotomous and Harmonious at the same time. 


When interviewing Julia we talked about her glorious 3D ‘Vessel’ pieces, her inspiration, her method and message, as well as her favourite historical and contemporary female artists of course!

  • INTERVIEW

    "I like considering false dichotomies and the spaces that emerge between them'"

     

     

    Julia, I have admired your work for years as you know. And I particularly love your 3D ‘Vessel’ pieces. I wonder, how were you trained?


    I studied anthropology, which informs a lot of the human enquiry within my work. I have been training and painting for almost a decade, and my ‘Vessel’ pieces come from this time of introspection - they reflect symbols and scenes from my paintings and serve as vessels of the future - contemplating onwards.

     

    Julia, where do you get most of your inspiration for your work?


    I am always drawing from the experiences, light, and histories that surround me, and this inspiration is endless! I like considering false dichotomies and the spaces that emerge between them. Lately, this has meant exploring the relationships of self/environment and absence/presence.

     

    What would you say has been the highlight of your artistic career so far?


    My year in Paris was so special, learning from museums each day and then translating this into my most exciting work so far. And then a solo show at the conclusion of this most amazing time! Such a highlight!

     

    A big one here... who is your favourite practising female artist at the moment?


    Yumna Al-Arashi! The lens through which she views the world has widened my perspective, something I hope to achieve within my own work.

     

    And what about your favourite historical female artist?


    Right now, Dorothea Tanning - especially her later, more gestural works!

     

    I read so many things from your work... What do you want your work to say?


    The biggest question! I’m not driven by a single message to communicate, but rather a broader understanding of my own world - that I hope refracts upon themes applying to us all. I hope to document the Anthropocene, the crises we face, our shifting understanding of the future. Mostly, I hope to paint truthfully.