Nicole Diffenthal

BA Fine Arts (Honours) 2009

I started studying Fine Art at the University of Johannesburg in 2005 and graduated with my Honours at the end of 2008. My artwork is quite personal as it is about my identity as a person but I think that it can apply to a lot of people as it can be interpreted in many ways. My work deals mainly with the presentation of the female form as an external and inter-changeable item of clothing, as well as the use of flowers as a metaphor for the female form. My work deals with presenting the flowers in boxes for everyone to observe as if they are specimens, just like people in general are observed. I use lighting and dress pattern in most of my work as for me it is a metaphor for a map or journey of life. In all my work I deal with the transformation of the dress pattern into other forms to depict that the map or journey that is set out for life is not always followed and that the map of one’s life should not be predetermined but decided as life continues.

biography

Exhibitions:

Absa L’Atalier: top 100 in 2008
Group Exhibitions: 2 Student exhibitions at FADA

interview

What is your favourite film of all time?!
The Notebook

What music are you currently listening to and why?
I listen to all sorts of music but my favorite band is the Goo Goo Dolls. I also enjoy listening to Daughtry, Locnville, The Parlotones, Prime Circle, Nickleback, Adele and Florence and the Machine. I am not that fussy when it comes to music, I enjoy most of the songs that are currently playing on the radio.

Which living artists do you most admire and why?
Diane Victor. She is a real inspiration to me in the sense that she works so hard at her artwork and is technically excellent at what she does.

Which deceased artist do you most admire and why?
Andy Warhol. He has inspired me a lot in my earlier works. I have always admired his style and the simplicity of his Work.

Which exhibition that you have visited made the greatest impact on you and why?
I think the first group exhibition that we had at the University of Johannesburg is the one that had the biggest impact on me because it was the greatest feeling to know that my work was part of an exhibition.

What is the question you get asked most frequently about your work and how do you answer it?
I often get asked “What is it about?” I tell them that it is about my identity and how I feel identity is perceived by others.

What/ who inspired you to be an artist?
I have always enjoyed making art. It is a great way to wind down and is very therapeutic. My husband is my inspiration – he always encourages me to make work and always gives me alternative ideas that I might not have thought about.

Can you tell us about where you make your art and what if any, the significance of this location is?
I usually make it at my parents house. No significance other than the fact that I don’t have space at home to make it there

What do you like most about being an artist?
I like it when people appreciate my artwork.

What is your greatest achievement as an artist to date?
Being in the top 100 of The 2008 ABSA L’Atalier Awards.

What are your plans for the coming year?
I will have two artworks on exhibit at the Aardklop festival in September and I am planning a group exhibition with some friends in November