Canadian Black Female Collage Artist goes digital
“When I was younger, I had a fascination with collages and cutting images out of magazines. I would write my name using letters cut out of magazines (ransom note-style) and I tried to integrate collage into every school assignment I would complete. That’s why, when I saw NFT Nat’s mixed media collage collection, I was awed by her ability to create beauty out of random images and I am eager to discuss with her what went into creating these beautiful pieces.”
Like many of us, Nat has a collection of old magazines. She searches through them to find an image she can build on with the goal to create a style of art that she would like to see in a frame. She sees a picture and will spend hours hand-cutting and rearranging images from photos and magazines. To me, knowing that an artist has put in this much care and effort into their work makes you appreciate the little details that much more. The handmade collages along with the digital touches added bring the pieces the images and the artist’s vision to life.
This collection has five pieces created by Nat: Booking a Shot, Temptation, The Woon Sue Twins, Mahogany, and The Offering. In all five of these pieces, Nat has included her own personal touch — whether it be flowers or family ties. In Booking a Shot, the yellow and pink lilies are cut-outs of photos taken from Nat’s personal garden. She took the photos specifically for this piece and included them to personalize it. Nat also included flowers in Temptation, Mahogany, and The Offering. Each individual flower and leaf was cut out using very small scissors so that Nat could get the most precise cut. Finally, The Woon Sue Twins is an homage to Nat’s mother who is against a background that shows off her Chinese/Jamaican heritage. I love to see artists add a signature image to their work, and the flowers show off Nat’s personality and eye for beauty perfectly.
Though I believe every single piece of art Nat creates is brilliant, I have chosen to share my reviews for my two favourite pieces from this collection:
The reason why this piece intrigued me so much is because it can evoke so many different interpretations. In our world today, some people who see the woman sitting on a telephone while holding a needle might interpret the artist’s inspiration to be centred around a vaccine. However, others may find a completely different meaning in the artwork. What I love about Nat’s work is that she does not assign a specific elucidation to her art; instead, she builds on an image using her creative eye and allows us to use our imaginations. The digital aspect added to this piece is liquid dripping from the point of the needle and rippling when it touches the ground. It adds a very satisfying illusion to the art without taking away from the main image. This piece is perfectly arranged and you can really get a sense of Nat’s eye for beauty and passion for her work.
This piece is my personal favourite in Nat’s collection. My first glance left me breathless and I was so impressed by how much it made me feel. Now, knowing the effort that was put into it, I have a new appreciation for every single detail. From each individual leaf and stem hand-cut by the artist to the digital butterfly added to the collage, every part of Mahogany has a story. The woman’s beauty is enhanced by Nat’s signature flowers and both the flowers and the leaves add a vintage-like feel to the piece. Every flower and leaf is perfectly placed and every colour complements each other. It amazes me that the artist was able to add the colourful flowers and the digital butterfly and still managed to ensure that the woman is the main focus. These aspects do not take away from her, they accessorize.
Though Nat has only recently started to create NFTs, I am very excited to see what she will come up with and how she will continue to use digital tools to bring her collages to life. Her gift is undeniable and I am enjoying watching her as she grows as an artist and discovers her talent.
“I’ve been very inspired by other women who have embraced the world of NFTs and especially collage. I am so pleased that my work has found and audience. It has opened up so many new possibilities”.
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