INTERVIEW / ARTIST FOCUS | 14 February 2024

::LOVE-IN-A-MIST::

Celebrating Artist Couples

Do you share a studio?

AK: Yes at the bottom of our garden with no Wi-Fi. We take it in turns to use it and make sure we clear the space each time, which is actually a useful thing to do anyway. Sometimes we both want to use it at the same time but we just have to split the time. We have never worked in there at the same time, it wouldn't work at all and it means we both get our own quality time looking after Oto [Alice and Yuichiro’s 2.5 year-old son].

YK: Yes we do. We have a small studio in our garden which I built 6 years ago. We never work at the same time mostly due to its size but we are always surrounded by each other’s works in the studio and at home, which I suppose influences me at least at subconscious level.    

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Do you seek/ welcome feedback from your partner?

YK: We don't often talk about each other’s works very much but nice things about my work are always welcome! I am sure it's the same for Alice.

AK: Yes. I really respect and appreciate Manji's feedback on my work. He is good at picking up on things that are going well or not well.

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Do you think your partner has influenced your own practice?

AK: Yes, because I love his work and the way he works. I think we work very differently. He is very considerate and sensitive in his approach, which I admire. He has also taught me how to take greater care of my work, in the way I prepare it, handle it and store it after. In my opinion he takes his practice very seriously and I feel grateful to have a partner who understands, and helps remind me of the value and importance of our art practice.

YK: Alice is spontaneous and able to find subjects for her work from small encounters in everyday life and then quickly test it in her sketchbook or any piece of paper available. It's playful and joyful. She can improvise with any subjects and turn them into an image. This quick response to the world is something I am trying to do more of these days as I often spend too much time mulling over one thing and then spoil it. I admire Alice's ability to capture the fresh impression at each encounter.

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[Would you / have you collaborate(d) in a duo show or a piece?] How did you find the experience of working together for Love-in-a-Mist?

AK: I feel like the idea of having a show, just the two of us, is interesting and unusual. Our work is so different but inspired by almost the same subjects. Having a show of only our work is very different to being in a group show together where we are part of a bigger dialogue. I am looking forward to spending some time in the gallery to reflect on this over the next few weeks and even more interested to hear what comments other people have. I am also very interested to hear what Yuichiro thinks too by the end of this show; but I would definitely be up for more collaborations and shows together in the future.

YK: In our current show there is one painting which both of us contributed to. As I mentioned earlier, I think Alice is a master of improvisation. I thought it would be interesting to let her choose one of many incomplete pieces of mine for her to complete. The whole process feels something like a jam session where I am the drummer to start a rhythm pattern and then Alice joins in as a vocalist. This is something I would probably find difficult if it were the other way round.

AK: I absolutely loved painting on top of Yuichiro’s painting for the first time recently. The surface, texture and pattern created a nice contrast with my brush marks, something I always want to achieve in my own printed backgrounds. I have often thought about what it would be like to paint on one of his paintings, but at the same time his work is amazing without these extra marks and so I don't think I have really improved it. I have tried to do it in a way that doesn't dominate too much as I was worried that my thick brush marks might be taking away from the focal points and sensitivity that he had already created. It would be interesting to see what he would do if he had one of my paintings as a starting point or if we continued to work on the painting collaboratively!

YK: I actually feel Alice’s intervention did improve the work, it feels like a more accomplished piece now, somehow whole. The sculptural pieces that I made felt collaborative as well, as we all discussed how we wanted the space to feel and the plants came from our garden, which we both take care of.

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Favourite non art-related activity you enjoy together

YK: Our life has changed a lot as I am sure everyone's has since the pandemic started in 2020, and also since Oto, our first son, was born in 2021. Our love for looking after our garden grew during the lockdowns. We also did a lot of walks in countryside together during these times which we thought was the best thing we could do as a family and we still do.

AK: Yes, going for an adventure somewhere remote. I feel safe with him and he is one of the only people I can still fully relax and think when I am around. Probably one of the highlights of this would be walking the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage through the mountains in Japan in the winter and barely seeing another person.

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Do you share a studio?

JK: Yes, we have always shared a studio. There was a time when we would both be in together regularly. It always seemed to work. We'd help each other and was really nice to share breaks together.

AC: Yes, we currently share. It's nice as we have different schedules, and if one of us is busy with other things, the other can spread out at ease. Jonathan is always mindful of my work and materials as well so there is peace of mind compared to sharing with someone I don't know as well.    

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Do you seek/ welcome feedback from your partner?

JK: Yes. It’s essential most of the time, and encouraging each other is important. But there are times when its best not to have any feedback; when it’s obviously not going well, and you just need to work through it and make it regardless.

AC: Yes and no (as sometimes he is too honest). It can feel a bit brutal when your partner criticises your work!

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Do you think your partner has influenced your own practice?

JK: Definitely. It’s really helpful having someone who knows your practice so well, and knows how your mind works better than you do. So sometimes a quick chat about things can shortcut a lot of decisions and potential cul-de-sacs.

AC: Yes, from sharing his knowledge of materials, and techniques. I used to use oils, but I've switched to acrylic paints which have allowed me to be more free and spontaneous with paint. Also with his enthusiasm towards my work, if I am unsure of an idea or start something I'm not particularly keen on, he is good at encouraging me to continue and see the potential in a piece! One thing Jonathan hasn’t influenced is the art-inspired jewellery that I make - but he has helped me at times lending his drill to make holes in clay pieces!

Amy Cochrane © Studio View ; Thalassa, glass and semi-precious stones necklace by Studio Ammos ©, Courtesy of the Artist.

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Would you / have you collaborate(d) in a duo show or a piece?

JK: We have not really done this. But have talked about collaborative works and showing together. I imagine it would be really useful. As an exhibition has a strange way of distilling down a body of work, so I can imagine if our work were together the shared values and aesthetics would shine out.

AC: No, some group shows while at uni but nothing deliberately collaborative. Would like to, and we may end up making very similar work as we are often drawn to the same things, similar imagery; it would be interesting to see our response to a concept or a theme in this context.

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Favourite non art-related activity you enjoy together.

JK: Sharing a view together.

AC: Walking and exploring a new place or city, finding a good pub. We love the Lake District and the Greek Islands.

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Do you share a studio?

AB: Not at the moment.

ALV: No, but we did for years.  

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Do you seek/ welcome feedback from your partner?

AB: Always! Non stop.

ALV: Everyday.

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Do you think your partner has influenced your own practice?

AB: Over the years we’ve grown into very different artists, but have developed a love of processes and materials together. I think the main influence Antoine has had on my work is to celebrate colour! 

ALV: Through conversation and by seeing the practice of Amelia for the past ten years it’s certain! I would say her ability to be spontaneous but also specific- whilst making it look so simple is a constant inspiration. 

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Would you / have you collaborate(d) in a duo show or a piece?

AB: We’ve tried and failed! It’s more of a battle than a collab.

ALV: Our main collaboration was tiling the shower and it’s quite brilliant… Never did a private view there though!

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Favourite non art-related activity you enjoy together.

AB: We cycled from Brussels to Marseille, wild camping along the way. These are the best of days. Next we plan to go to Greece and cycle from Mount Olympus to the Temple of Poseidon for our honeymoon! 

ALV: Cooking... The question is who’s going to win the ownership of the kitchen!