MUNTHE ART MONDAY: SALVITA SALIM DE CORTE
Please introduce yourself and tell us about what you do.
My name is Salvita Salim De Corte, people call me Sal. I am an artist; I paint, I design jewelry and act.
I was born and raised by my German mother and my Indian – Indonesian father, in Bali-Indonesia, where I am currently based. My father was an artist. When he passed away, I was left with a studio that was suddenly unused. The paint, the brushes and the paintings were all, still there, waiting and calling to be used again. That is when I started my practice as an artist.
3 years ago, I moved back to my home town, Bali. Painting in my childhood home has been a journey of revisiting my past, recollecting childhood memories, exploring the many subtle nuances of my childhood and home; experiences that feel blurry at times but also strangely vivid. Within the process of painting I pour out, process emotions. I discover thoughts and feelings.
What has been the most challenging aspect of being a female artist?
I used to think that be a serious artist you would have to drop everything and make art. I still think that making work and spending as much time in the studio as possible is essential and important, but I personally am I still balancing different aspects in my life.
Sometimes I feel like people don’t take me seriously as an artist, possibly because I am a woman who is also a mother who also has different pursuits but in fact, in return, all these aspects, interest, pursuits and experience has fed and given so much to my wok and practice as an artist.
Success in the art world can mean different things to different people but to be at a point where you can live, sustain yourself (and family) from your art is not easy.
Could you explain more about how being a woman has affected your career?
I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a child. My father, a painter and my mother designed jewelry and made clothes. I was brought up in an environment where creative freedom was cherished and an important part of life. My father moved out of our home so that he could have his own personal space to create… (amongst other reasons), much of my childhood involved watching him paint. He never taught me, but I watched and I was free to try and explore.
My mother always taught me to trust my female intuition. I create work using and trusting that intuition. Becoming a mother has given me new experiences and emotions I had to process and navigate. Painting and creating, has helped me get through these new territories.
Can you name some other female (artist) that inspires you and explain why they do so?
I learned about Frida Kahlo early on as a child, and for a long time she was the only female artist I knew about, apart from my mother. I was fascinated by her story and how she told them in her paintings. I also love Laurie Anderson, all the different mediums she uses to express, Tracey Emin, Louise Bourgeoise, Alice Neel, Hilma af Klint. I went to an exhibit of Chiharu Shiota a while back - it deeply moved me.
What would you like people to notice in your artwork?
I would like my paintings to spark or bring out feelings in people - every feeling, emotion and thought.
Salvita is wearing LACHLAN pants
