In the art world, it is a common occurrence for artists to seek inspiration from and trace their influence to elements of popular culture (cinema, television shows, iconic media persons, theatre, etc.). It reflects in their work and provides valuable insights into the artist’s life. Anj Smith, on the other hand, offers an entirely different explanation when it comes to her work.
She explains that her life has not been particularly conventional and that popular culture has, in no way, influenced her work. Born in Kent to a family of artists, Anj grew up in the countryside, not quite satisfied with what surrounded her. She reminisces, “I hated the country life as a child. It was far too parochial for me. I couldn’t wait to grow up and move to London. And that’s exactly what I did.” Anj went on to study art at London’s famous St. Martin’s Art School, Goldsmith College and the Slade School of Fine Art.
“My trajectory in the art world has been relatively easy. I enjoyed gallery representation at a very early age and hence things worked out well for me. I did have to struggle in my initial phases but not as much as many other artists. Popular culture had no influence on me. I did not grow up watching TV or going to the theatre like my friends. I was led to create my own fantasy world. And I have my family to thank for that.”
We met Anj Smith recently at Mumbai’s Galerie Isa, for the opening of her latest show. Anj shares, “There are many factors that inspire me to create. However, they are specific to each work of art. A beautiful female portrait with features that, strangely enough, border on masculinity, this portrait means a lot to me. One of my close friends back home in the UK recently underwent a gender reconstruction surgery. He was born a woman but now leads a happy life as a man. This story inspired me greatly. I want to show my audience that the notion of identity construction is fragile. There is a sense of ambiguity that prevails, ever so often. In my world, gender is malleable.”
In the hope of delving into the depths of her creative process, we ask her to zero in on a genre. She explains, “I create portraits, landscapes and still life. However, these are not mutually exclusive. They overlap each other. For example, in some of my prints there are landscapes. These could be both landscapes in the literal sense or internal landscapes, psychological portraits. I like to think of them as depictions of the mind in myriad states. I like my creations to exercise a certain mesmerising effect on the viewer. There may be an intellectual side to every work but I like to keep it bright and cheerful at the same time. The shimmering colours and the glittery elements add an element of jewel-like seduction to the work. The overall effect is fabulous.”
She customises her brushes in order to obtain the perfect results. Anj says, “I know exactly what I want and that is what I replicate on the canvas. This is why I cut my brushes personally even if is for a minute section of the canvas. I throw away a brush a day. I know that it is decadent and an extravagant habit. But it’s what I do and I’m not ashamed of it."
The creatures that appear in the hair of certain portraits may be intimidating at first, they require closer inspection and reflection to understand their deeper meaning. “They reflect and emphasise with the animalistic nature of human beings.”