shanghai — 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

2014 Esther C. Gayner Memorial Award for Printmaking

PUBLICATIONS

2023 Allied Artists of America. 110th Annual Catalog.

2023 Art Business News. New York’s Artios Gallery. ArtExpo New York.

2023 Sanctuary Magazine. Interview with Editor. By Myrna Haskell.

2022 Allied Artists of America. 109th Annual Award Winners Catalog.

2021 Elysian Magazine. Unique Feature on NAWA by Suzanne Johnson. Atlanta, GA - NYC

2020 Top Ten Artists. “Focus Blue” Feature on WideWalls by Balasz Takasch

2020 National Association of Women Artists Magazine. “Red Carpet feature”, NYC

2018 The High Brow Magazine. “ Celebrate Women” By Sandra Bertrand, NYC

2011 “Together”. Exhibition Catalog. New Century Artists, Chelsea, NYC

2010 The Art Times. “International Women Artists” in Highland Art Center, Beacon, NY

CONTACT NATALIA:

Website url: https://www.korenkropf.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natalia.korenkropf/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliakorenkropf/

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Elena Seroff is a contemporary New York-based artist who works in abstract painting, drawing, and printmaking. Born in 1975 in the coastal city Kaliningrad (Konigsberg), Elena developed a passion for art at a young age and dedicated herself to honing her craft. She spent her teenage years in Estonia. After finishing high school in Paldiskiy, Elena studied fashion design at LEX University in Tallinn. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Elena returned to her hometown, where she earned a diploma from the Art and Industry College in Decorative Art. In 1996, Elena immigrated to New York, where perspectives on art continued to develop and evolve. In 2010, she participated in the two-year program for figurative drawing at The National Academy and School of Fine Art and Chelsea Classical Studio in New York.

Despite being an impressionist artist, Elena decided to branch out and start creating abstract art. This new direction has allowed her to explore deeper themes and emotions through her work. Elena often incorporates her experiences and feelings in her abstract paintings, adding intimacy and vulnerability to her art. Elena's transition from impressionist to abstract art has been an exciting evolution in her career. It showcases her versatility as an artist and her willingness to take risks to grow and evolve.

Being passionate about art, Elena started Clarus Art Studio in 2015. The same year, she began working as an art director at The Pushkin Society of America. Later, she founded The Pushkin Society Artists Guild for established and emerging artists, where she curated many art and literature events. Elena also serves as Founder and Art Director for Artios Gallery, a curated online gallery that showcases contemporary artists selected for their unique creative vision. In 2021, Elena participated in the group exhibition "Sciarsism" at the Kyiv History Museum, Ukraine. She received The Best Artist in Abstract award during the show and exhibited at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art (MMOMA). Currently, Elena lives and works in New York City.

What is so unique about your artworks? How do you work?

I am an artist whose work spans both impressionist and abstract styles. My unique approach is to capture light and color with my willingness to delve into deeper themes through my abstract work. I am drawn towards the simple, unpretentious, and quotidian in framing my vision of reality. This sensibility can be reflected in my abstract series "Love in Three Colors" and "Adam & Eve Rebirth," which depict emotional connections between people, passions, and expressions of love that provoke a sense of movement as a continuation of life.

Like the Spiral Dynamics Model theory, human creativity has been developed and improved over centuries. I look for rhythm and balance in composition through color and line. Form comes first, and color is a complementary factor. Spontaneity is not for my creative process. First, I create different compositions by sketching using colored pencils and watercolors and modifying or adding color combinations to find the right balance. After I find a suitable design and am satisfied, I start working with the canvas. I prefer to work with oil paint, which allows me to use the glazing technique. Lately, I've been adding a style of Pointillism, enabling me to find the desired transformation to soften from dark to light tones in my art.

What is your background?

I started my journey in art at the age of 14. Raised in a family of military personnel, I changed three schools. As a high school student, I enrolled in an after-school art class. I do not recall the name of my first art teacher. However, I remember my first painting lesson and a still-life setup composition with a Rowan Tree branch in a vase. Having never held a brush and not knowing where to start, the art teacher sat me down in front of the composition and said, "Start painting." Attending an art class was very interesting, and I quickly began to gain the skills of a real artist. A year later, my group and I participated in a regional art competition for talented students, where I received an honor diploma for successful participation.

The passion for art came to me from my maternal grandfather, Valentin. I only knew a little about him since we didn't communicate often. But every time I visited his home, I saw a lot of photographs, canvases, and stretchers lying on the floor. He was an excellent photographer, painter, and a gifted furniture-making craftsman. While his name might not have echoed the grandeur of Serov Valentin Alexandrovich, my grandfather, Serov Valentin Petrovich, carved his path of brilliance in his unique and talented way.

Where do you get your inspiration? What are the main directions in your creative path?

I began my artistic journey with realism, fueled by a deep appreciation for academic art. However, my passion led me away from conventional forms embracing abstract thinking. Delving into Cubism and Abstraction, I realized that these artistic realms align more closely with my philosophy about art. Among the pioneers who inspired me from the early 20th century are Juan Gris, Vasily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich, Lyubov Popova, and others.

Human beings are inherently emotionally and physically unstable entities, reflecting life's endless transformation. An excellent example of this transformation is Pablo Picasso, who continuously changed his artistic style throughout his creative evolution.

Presently, my primary artistic focus is around Suprematism and Geometric Abstraction. I aim to prompt viewers to engage in contemplation and free-thinking, much like the dynamic and ever-changing nature of life and humanity.

What is your life quote/motto?
Never stop. Move forward and make plans. Believe into yourself, and don't be afraid to make mistakes.