Q&A: Nicola Culican
Q&A: Nicola Culican
February 16th, 2008
The Bangkok-based artist and art teacher’s exhibit, Asian Faces (see +art page 30), explores the charm of mature Asian women’s faces.
First job: Helping my dad. He was a stonemason and I think that sometimes he forgot that I was, in fact, a girl. He had me mixing cement and carrying tons of stone, as he looked on with a cup of tea shouting instructions.
Present job: Head of Art at St Andrews International School, Sukhumvit 71, Bangkok. I love teaching art. I teach students traditional art skills and then show them how they can use these creatively. I also want them to use art as a way to explore their environment—whether this is geographical, social or political.
Women are: Their own worst enemy. We allow ourselves to be manipulated by the media, each other and men.
Feminism: It should be about rejoicing at our femininity; but instead we are losing it, as we allow our environment to morph us into this new androgynous being.
Beauty is: Natural and individual. I can’t abide lots of make up, plastic surgery and people all trying to be the same. That’s why I paint these women. They are not conventionally beautiful, but they have such beauty, as they are natural and are not affected by contemporary ideals.
This exhibition in three words: Character, color, Asia.
You find Bangkok: Lackscolor—especially green. I really miss the countryside and parks here just aren’t green enough. It would be great to see some color on all the shophouses—it would make Bangkok a much prettier city and a much nicer environment to live in.
Your favorite Bangkok art scene: I haven’t got one—I feel very disappointed with the art scene here. It would be great to see more investment in art. The National Gallery needs a complete renovation and it would be great to see more international exhibitions by renowned artists, both past and present.
If not an artist, you would be: Working with people in some way, and traveling.
In 10 years: I want to be happy. I want to have financial security and be in a position where painting can be my main focus.
.jpg "Escape Routes: Nov14, 2008")
