Nora Neagoe

Tell us about yourself. What is your background and where did you grow up? How have your life experiences shaped your work?

I was born in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. I started drawing when I was in middle school and went on to painting in high-school. After 2 years of painting I applied to BFA’s in the United States. I did part of my BA at Tufts University and then graduated with a painting and printmaking degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, VA, U.S. My work has been influenced by the classical approach to painting, as this was being taught in my country. It was influenced by rural areas of Romania, the narrow streets of Europe and portraiture. My work did not have a strict concept until I started my Master’s at the Royal College of Art in London, UK. I have developed my work alongside the research I had to do for my dissertation, which really helped me develop my concept.

Why did you become an artist and what has been your journey up to this point?

I have always been interested in art, first in drawing and later discovered I want to paint. I am interested in other areas of the art-world, such as film and fashion. These other disciplines can be seen in my paintings and sculptures. During my development in my practice, I realized painting is not limited to a square canvas, which helped me use my other interests in pushing my paintings further.

What is an average day in your studio like and what is your routine?

I usually go to my studio in the morning and spend all day there. Before starting a new piece, I either sketch on paper what I want to paint or paint directly onto the canvas.

What is your creative process?

Creative process: like the previous answer, I either start painting directly or sketch before. When painting, I work on multiple sides of the canvas at a time, in order to have a unity in brush strokes, colors and the overall composition. 

How do you choose a medium for your work? Do you prepare and plan or do you improvise and experiment?

I like to experiment in my work and not always have a plan. I always start with a plan but in the process of making the work I let loose.

Are your works conveying a message? Is there a narrative or a story to your work?

My practice started with an interest in surveillance. Bringing this into contemporary matters, I focus on beauty standards in women on social media, as they are the most affected by surveillance, control and invasion of privacy. Prominent elements in my work are distortion of the body, exaggerated perspectives, high heels and the legs of the women, as they are seen as the etiquette of femininity. The bodies look distorted, such as the filters on social media change the bodies, showing a different version of the person. Thinking of desire and innocence, the women are shown as objects of observation but also them looking at each other and at the viewer, creating a sense of discomfort. I also take inspiration from the fashion world and brands like Mugler and Balmain, with elements of futurism and sci-fi. 

Who and what are some of your greatest influences in both your life and as an artist?

As stated above, my work started with an interest in surveillance. After watching films that convey this message, such as “Rear Window” by Alfred Hitchcock and “The Conversation” By F. F. Coppola, I become more and more interested in the display of the discomfort of being watched through the lens. My work is very much influenced by the world of film, architecture and fashion. Although not all are apparent, I am always interested in the perspective, point of view and composition of each painting. Some artists that have influenced my style of work are Dora Maar, Chantal Joffe and from the fashion world the brands Balmain and Mugler.

Do you consider your work of art a creation or a discovery?

I consider it a creation.