"EARTH", Landscapes and Woodlands: Interview with artist Filippa af Burén

Filippa af Burén is an artist born in Gothenburg, Sweden, and currently based in London. She earned her Bachelor of Arts with honors in Fashion Design from the Istituto Marangoni in London. Initially, she established herself as a fashion designer specializing in luxury womenswear, and in the summer of 2022, she transitioned to become a professional artist.

Her exhibition "EARTH", first shown in The Orangery Holland Park, London in November 2023 and now extended online at follow.art, centers on the natural healing effects of our planet. In her meditative practice, Filippa delves into the organic forms of nature, exploring how its presence can influence and enhance our well-being. She also seeks to highlight the potential of nature to contribute to a sustainable lifestyle. Each piece in the exhibition reflects the significance of nature's continuous cycle and reminds us how we are all an important part of it.

Nehir: How did you decide to study Fashion Design at Istituto Marangoni? How and why did you decide to switch to fine arts in 2022? 

Filippa: I have always had a passion for drawing, sketching, styling, and fashion since childhood, but I lacked the confidence to pursue them as a career. Heavily influenced by others' opinions and guidance, I began studying economics. However, during my studies, I fell ill and was forced to take a year off. This time made me reevaluate my life choices and gave me the courage to perceive my dreams, which at the time was to study fashion design. I thoroughly enjoyed my education in fashion design and the creative process it involved, particularly illustration classes and sketching.

I felt like I still needed a place where I could calm down and express my creativity, so I turned to painting. Because of my previous illness, I have never taken life for granted, and it has made me appreciate the importance of finding work that I love doing. Painting has always been a passion of mine, and it became the outlet I needed.

N: I’ve noticed that you put great importance on texture and different mediums, which I presume comes from your close affiliation with fashion design. Can you expand on how your attention to texture and fashion design background relates? 

F: I have always loved textures, whether in textiles or art. My background in fashion design has given me the opportunity to explore different materials, and I loved how just by changing the material you can get a whole different look and feel. It has come very naturally to me to continue exploring different textures in my artworks. Having frequently worked with three-dimensional elements as a fashion designer, I love to continue doing so in my art. 

N: In what other ways does your fashion design background affect the work that you do today? 

F: I developed my creative style as a fashion designer, learning my likes and dislikes, and have applied these preferences to my art. For example, I have always found inspiration in nature's organic forms, shapes, and colours. Following my intuition and the creative process is also something I’ve learnt through my fashion design background.    

N: How does your Swedish background as an artist based in London play a role in your career and work? 

F: My Swedish background has influenced my work in my longing and appreciation for nature and open landscapes. Another factor that plays a role in my work is my Scandinavian minimalist style. Being based in London as an artist is a very positive experience because of its big global market and influences from around the world. It also gives access to a very big cultural audience. 

N: You’ve mentioned how growing up in Sweden, “where 70% of the land is woodland, where one is constantly surrounded by the beauty of nature”, inspired the ‘EARTH’ exhibition which focuses on earth's natural healing effects. Was this link you had with the nature of Sweden always there, or was it a newly found connection that in return inspired this exhibition and the abstract, earthly style you have in your works? 

F: I believe the beauty of nature has always been present,  I have rediscovered its great beauty as I have had some time to reflect, slow down, and spend more time outdoors. In doing so I have noticed its calming and peaceful effects, something I had lost sight of living in a big, fast-paced city.

N: You have this deep connection with Sweden, but your work often features other parts of the world, such as Namibia and London. Can you expand on your relationship with these locations, and how they differ from the one you have with your homeland? 

F: I find inspiration everywhere I go, particularly in open landscapes, which I believe stems from my homeland's abundance of such scenery. Namibia, with its vast expanses of nature and sand rather than people, reminded me of the quiet and untouched nature back at home.

London, on the other hand, is the complete opposite, filled with noise and people. A city where nature plays a small role in its landscape. But it's a reminder that you can find peaceful places even in an urban setting. You just have to focus on the small details instead of the big perspective, such as a root crack on the pavement or the bark of a tree.

N: You use earth pigments, sea salt, and desert sand in your work. How and why did you start to incorporate those into your work? What do they signify in the context of this exhibition? 

F: The exhibition places a significant emphasis on the calming effects of nature. During my travels, I was surrounded by so much beauty in terms of colours and textures that I wanted to incorporate it into my work. 

N: Your work seems like it’s in motion even if it's static on a canvas, how do you achieve that? What is the significance of the dynamic composition of your work in this exhibition? 

F: I’m glad to hear I achieved the motion effect, reflecting nature's continuous transformation through seasons and time, much like our own changes. I wanted to depict this dynamic evolution on canvas.

N: How do you collect ideas for new projects? What is your process like? 

F: Whenever I find a texture or colour that draws my interest, I tend to collect it, resulting in a compilation of elements from across the globe that I wish to integrate into new projects. My inspiration tends to come from a specific place where I feel calm, and then I want to bring that feeling with me and to share it. 

N: Do you have anything in progress at the moment? Can you share any details with us? 

F: I have just had my first baby girl and am currently busy taking care of her. But I am sure she will inspire me in loads of new ways! For sure, I will have a new series coming out and will keep my audience updated. I also have a few commission pieces in progress. Follow me on Instagram to find out more @atelierafburen.

Visit the exhibition here until February 13, 2024.