10 Questions with Margarita Howis

Born in Ufa, Russia, Margarita’s artistic journey began with discovering pencils at the age of 5. Later, from studying at art school, she went on to complete a degree in architecture in her hometown. After completing her first diploma, Margarita got a grant for a Joint Master’s Degree ‘4cities’ in urbanism studying at four universities in Brussels, Vienna, Copenhagen, and Madrid. After the 4cities experience, she embarked on a journey to continue her eclectic practice combining art and architecture in Shenzhen, China. After half a decade dedicated to experiments, since 2020, she chose to devote herself to contemporary art only. Currently, Margarita lives and creates in Copenhagen and exhibits around the world, from Paris to New York.

www.ritahowis.com | @margarita.howis

ARTIST STATEMENT

Margarita Howis is a creative rebel and an artist by heart with a background in architecture. World citizen, Margarita lived in 7 countries across the world, from Europe to China, and became a staunch cosmopolitan. International experience across countries and people has helped her dissolve borders and question the traditional notion of home while shaping the sense of unity and building a strong conviction of sustainability demands both environmentally and socially. Her work is influenced by observing cultural differences and perspectives on authenticity, women's rights, and societal expectations. Through her experiences, she has come to understand the ways in which culture shapes our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

In her work, she explores the themes of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and self-expression. She wants to empower people to express themselves fully and to be comfortable in their own skin. To achieve this, she conducts research on the impact of societal expectations and the importance of authenticity, and she looks at how women's roles and representations vary across different cultures and societies and how this shapes their experiences and opportunities.

After taking in the Scandinavian lifestyle for a number of years, her inspiration has come to draw upon the belief that we deserve equal rights and opportunities, celebrating one's identity and the beauty and power of femininity in all its forms. In her art, she wants to bring attention to cultural differences and perspectives and encourage individuals to question their own societal expectations and norms. She wants to create a powerful visual dialogue that challenges viewers to think critically about themselves and their surroundings.

In her work, Margarita combines realism with experimental abstract motives. Being adventurous and inventive, each time artist introduces a range of mediums to her canvas, from painting with traditional brush and acrylic to fluid art, and even plates paintings with sustainably sourced 23K gold and silver to depict the strength and resilience of an individual.

Ultimately, the artist's mission is to create a body of work that inspires individuals to find their inner voice, reject societal pressure, and live in harmony with themselves and others. She hopes her art serves as a reminder that true happiness and fulfillment come from being true to ourselves and embracing our authentic selves.

INTERVIEW

First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. Who are you, and how did you start experimenting with images?

My name is Margarita Howis, and I call myself someone between the lines of an artist and a creative rebel. I've always been drawn to creativity, and I can trace my passion for painting back to my childhood. As a kid, I would spend hours in my room creating and experimenting, and I found that painting was a way for me to express myself and make sense of the world around me. Growing up, I choose to study architecture – combining the technical with the creative. Since then, I have worked as an architect and urban researcher, tried myself as an interior designer, and graphic designer, and closed the circle by coming back to painting and becoming a full-time artist.

You have traveled and lived in different countries and had many different experiences throughout your career. How would you define yourself as an artist today?

I believe experiences across different countries made me a proud cosmopolitan, shaped my sense of unity, and strengthened my conviction that sustainability demands, all in all, greatly influencing my art. As an artist today, I am influenced by cultural differences and perspectives on authenticity, women's rights, and societal expectations. My work explores themes of self-discovery with the goal of empowering individuals to fully express themselves and be comfortable in their own skin. I conduct research on the impact of societal expectations and the importance of authenticity and examine the variation of women's roles and representation across cultures. My inspiration, drawn from the Scandinavian lifestyle in recent years, emphasizes equal rights and opportunities and celebrates individuality and femininity. My work combines realism with experimental abstract elements, and I constantly challenge myself to use different mediums – from using traditional brushwork to fluid art to demonstrate strength and resilience. My mission is to inspire individuals to find their inner voice, reject societal pressure, and live authentically, with the hope that my art serves as a reminder of the fulfillment that comes from embracing one's true self.

Hawa, acrylic on canvas plated with 23K gold, 120x180 cm, 2021 © Margarita Howis

Harley, acrylic on canvas, 100x120 cm, 2022 © Margarita Howis

What is one experience that particularly influenced and inspired your work as an artist?

One experience that particularly influenced and inspired my work was my trip to South Africa. The vibrant culture and rich history of the country left a profound impact on me, and I was particularly struck by the strong sense of community and connectedness that I experienced there. How people celebrated their individuality while also embracing their cultural heritage was truly inspiring, and it made me reflect on the importance of cultural identity in shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. This experience has since influenced my work by incorporating elements of African culture and themes of community and self-expression, and I strive to bring attention to the beauty and power of cultural diversity through my art.

Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What is your artistic routine when working?

Sure! The process of creating my work begins with research. I like to explore different cultural perspectives and experiences. I also conduct research on various art techniques and styles to continually challenge myself and expand my skills.
Once I have a good understanding of my topic and the direction I want my work to take, I start to brainstorm and sketch out ideas. I then refine my sketches and decide on the medium I want to use. I enjoy combining traditional techniques with more experimental elements.
When I'm in the studio, I have a relatively structured routine. I like to start each day with a focused mind and clear goals for what I want to accomplish. I also like to take breaks every few hours to clear my mind and refill my creativity. I find that this helps me stay focused and produce my best work.
Throughout the process, I'm constantly re-evaluating and making changes as needed. My goal is always to create work that is meaningful, impactful, and true to my personal vision. And the process of creating is just as important to me as the final product, as it allows me to continually learn and grow as an artist.

You predominantly work with portraits. Why did you choose this subject specifically? And what does it represent for you?

I chose to work predominantly with portraits because I believe that they offer a unique opportunity to tell a story and capture a person's individuality, emotions, and experiences. Portraits allow me to explore themes of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and self-expression, which are important to me as an artist.
For me, portraits represent a way to connect with people and understand their experiences. Through my work, I aim to capture not only the physical appearance of a person but also their emotions, thoughts, and cultural influences. I want my portraits to be a visual representation of a person's unique identity and to showcase the beauty and power of individuality.

How do you choose the subject to portray, and what messages do you want to convey?

I choose my portrait subjects based on a number of factors, including cultural representation, personal experiences, and societal issues that I want to bring attention to. I often look for individuals who have unique stories to tell and who challenge traditional notions of beauty and identity.
When deciding on the subject, I also consider the messages I want to convey through my work. For example, I may choose to portray a subject who embodies resilience, strength, and empowerment, or someone who challenges societal norms and expectations.
My ultimate goal is to create portraits that inspire and empower others to celebrate their individuality and embrace their authentic selves. I want my work to spark important conversations and challenge viewers to question their own societal norms and expectations. Through my portraits, I hope to promote greater understanding and acceptance of diversity and to empower individuals to express themselves fully and live in harmony with themselves and others.

Marjorie, acrylic on canvas plated with 23K gold, 120x180 cm, 2021 © Margarita Howis

What about your color palette? How do you choose your colors? Do they have any specific meaning for you?

My color palette is an important aspect of my work, and it varies depending on the subject and the message I want to convey. I choose colors based on the mood and emotions I want to evoke, as well as the cultural influences and societal issues that I'm exploring.
For example, I may use bright, bold colors to represent strength and empowerment, or muted, earthy tones to evoke a sense of grounding and connection to nature. I also consider the cultural and historical context of my subjects and may incorporate colors that are symbolic or have special significance in a particular culture.
In general, my color palette is meant to enhance the emotions and experiences of my subjects and reinforce the messages I want to convey through my work. I use color as a tool to create visual interest and to guide the viewer's eye through the piece, ultimately leading them to the focal point and the message I want to convey.
Overall, color is an integral part of my artistic process and has a deep personal significance for me as an artist. It allows me to add layers of meaning to my work and to create a visual language that is unique to my perspective and experiences.

What do you think about the art community and market?

As an artist, I have mixed feelings about the art community and market. On the one hand, I appreciate the opportunities they provide for artists to connect, collaborate, and showcase their work. The art community offers a supportive and inspiring environment for artists to grow and develop their craft.
However, I also recognize that the art market can be highly competitive and exclusive, with certain styles and artists dominating the conversation. This can make it difficult for emerging artists to gain recognition and success, and can result in a narrow focus on a select few artists and styles.
In terms of the art community, I value diversity and inclusiveness, and I believe that all artists should have the opportunity to share their work and perspectives. I also believe in the importance of supporting and lifting up other artists, especially those who are marginalized or underrepresented in the art world.

You are very active on social media. Do these kinds of platforms help you promote your work? And what other strategies do you implement?

As an artist, I have found that social media, especially Instagram, can be a powerful tool for promoting my work and connecting with potential fans and collectors. Instagram provides a platform to showcase my latest work, share behind-the-scenes glimpses of my artistic process, and interact with my followers.
Aside from using Instagram, I also implement other strategies to promote my work. This includes participating in local and online exhibitions, reaching out to galleries and curators, and collaborating with other artists and brands. I also make an effort to build an emailing list, engage with my followers, and stay in touch through newsletters.
It's important for me to have a balanced approach to promoting my work and not rely solely on social media. I believe that building a strong community and network in the art world is essential for long-term success as an artist. By combining traditional and digital marketing strategies, I aim to reach a wider audience and connect with individuals who appreciate my work.

Lastly, what are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future? Anything exciting you can tell us about?

Yes! I am working on multiple projects and have a lot of ideas for this year. For example, the nearest one is a collaboration with streetwear fashion designer Bartholomew, and our project will be released and exhibited during NYFW this February. Please stay tuned!

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