Artist — Interviews — The Shanghai Art Fair

Natalia Koren Kropf born in St.Petersburg, USSR living in New York City, USA exhibited at the recent Shanghai International Art Fair and was a huge success with the local art buyers.

Natalia is a classically trained, interdisciplinary, award-winning contemporary artist who combines art and science in various studio media. She explores current topics of change in climate and society and the eternal themes of light and movement. She creates art forms that radiate happy vibes, attractive visuals that elevate, and a sense of completeness. Natalia works as a painter, sculptor, and printmaker and experiments with different materials and new combinations of eco-friendly techniques.

Natalia lives and works in New York City.

Natalia Koren Kropf was selected one of the Top Ten Emerging Artists and featured in WideWalls international publication 2020.

What is so unique about your artworks?

I am committed to creating work that radiates positive vibes and deep contemplation. My artistic aspiration, rooted in respect for Nature and Human beings, is often expressed in abstract form. I work in series of interdisciplinary collections that are cohesive to show together.

I love experimenting with materials and mixing the media in 2D and 3D works as I adapt to environmentally clean techniques, utilizing non-toxic materials. I believe in the interconnectedness of all things. In my work, I link the qualities of the natural elements with various cultural symbols and draw visual parallels of these correlations, using organic shapes and interwoven trajectories. I am exploring the dynamic of movement and light - the light reflected on the surfaces of sculpture, and the inner light that works of art emanate, reflecting the artist’s intention.

My process is intuitive and so are my findings. The unknown is what inspires me and keeps me going.

Where do you get your inspiration?

NKK: Observing Nature is my constant inspiration. For years and years, I observed and recorded what I saw around me by painting landscapes and portraits, drawing forms and textures, studying human anatomy, range of movement, and dance. Naturally, during the forming years, I started composing my own versions of the visual dynamic by simplifying motion trajectories into curvatures, obtaining a gradual understanding of the interconnected universe by learning about quantum physics and string theory, through my spiritual practice, poetry, and intuitive sense of oneness. So far my artistic journey has been fueled by curiosity about who I am in this great universal puzzle.

How do you deal with artist's block?

NKK: When I cannot paint, I write poetry.When I cannot write poetry, I paint.

It is really a great formula for me not to get down too much for too long. I understand that artistic process comes in waves and it if important to let your self rest from most amazing projects ( especially the most intense and inspiring ones). To avoid a burnout, I switch my attention to another side of my brain until I need another break, then go back to painting or very long nature walks.

Where do you see your art going in ten years?

NKK: The unknown always inspires me, why define the future? Even if painted the same subject, using one single technique - my work would evolve, because everything is changing around me. I am also changing. Yet, I state the same - themesless themes, timeless nature. But I do not stay the same. Neither does nature.

Can you tell us what you have going on right now?

NKK: Currently I am working on a complex form - a bronze sculpture.

I am very grateful to the Artios Gallery for representing me and for giving me excellent exhibition opportunities, such as Shanghai International Art Fair. Earlier this year I participated in the New York Art Expo 2023, where I was introduced to A&E Fine Art Gallery, who invited me to join them at the Red Dot/Spectrum Miami Art Fair this December 2023. Meanwhile, I am working on a new body of work in collaboration with Art Plexus Group, an Artios Gallery new Project entitled The Elements. I am very excited – it's right down my alley – stay tuned!

Can you tell us what your 'Before I Die' is?

NKK: My motto is to live my life to the fullest! Which means not to loose a vivid beat of my artistry, deepen my perception and optimize my expression.

There are so many pathways to travel, virtually and literally. So many places to see and people to meet. I embrace all that comes my way. I am expanding my horizons as I grow old.

What is your life quote/motto?

“I came to manifest harmony in life.”

I always believed that by observing harmony of nature, one can become its part. In my artworks and in my communication I go with the flow and welcome any opportunity. I try to find peace of mind in the most difficult situations and it proved to be a cure for stress and negativity. There is a silver lining to any situation. You can see it in my painting entitled The Silver Lining, which will be presented at the Red Dot/Spectrum in Miami.

How do you work?

I work intuitively.

It is really hard to put into words.

I suppose it is a kind of conscious living in constant vigilance for an inspirational spark. Once that occurs, it is up to my organizational skills, patience and drive you to make it happen, to manifest my vision in response to the ignited idea.

What’s integral to the work of an artist?

Continuous learning and listening to the heart are the integral components of being an artist.

One Spiritual master once answered the question addressed to him: “What makes you a master?” With the words : “The moment one decides that he is a master, he stops being a master”.

The same thing in art. It is a process, and artworks are the by products of this process. And there is more to that, I am sure.

What could you not do without?

Sunshine and a sense of humor!

Those who take themselves too seriously, become guided by their thoughts and forget that a lot in life comes at unexpected moments. Those who can adapt to any

change with a lightened up mind, with humor, experience joy of the mere surprise itself. We cannot control our environment, but we can learn to live there and even thrive. That’s why the sunshine is so important!

COLLECTIONS

Works in private collections in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic,

Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Russia, Japan, Lesotho, and the United States.

AWARDS

2023 American Fine Art Society: Artistic Merit Award

2023 Art Students League of New York Salons: Honorable Mention for Bronze sculpture

2022 Allied Artists of America: Award for Bronze Sculpture at the Associate Members Online Show

2021 Certificate of Excellence for Painting at the Empirical Abstraction International Show

2020 Selected one of the Top Ten Artists and featured in WideWalls international publication.

2019 Celia Kaufman Memorial Award For Innovative Ceramic Sculpture

2018 NAWA Certificate of Excellence Award in Photography

2016 Jean M. Leeman Award for Printmaking