ALEXANDRA GALLAGHER INTERVIEW

Your artistic creations, often surreal and featuring female subjects intertwined with nature, seem to narrate deep emotional journeys of love and loss. When crafting these pieces, do you find that they reflect your personal experiences and emotions? Is there an autobiographical element to your art?

Yes, many of my artworks are deeply personal, reflecting my own narrative, though a few are created more for enjoyment. My process is spontaneous and organic. The story within each piece gradually unveils itself as I progress, rather than being pre-planned.

Your award-winning art often draws inspiration from your personal life, like your use of your daughters as muses in your acclaimed piece at the Saatchi Showdown Surrealism competition. Can you elaborate on how your experiences as a mother influence your artistic vision and expression?

Motherhood has broadened my perspective, making me more aware of the unique challenges faced by girls and women. There's a constant struggle in teaching my daughters about the harsh realities they might face due to their gender, such as safety concerns and societal pressures. This theme of female experience is central to my recent series "Birds with Birds." Though it stems from negative experiences, my aim is to transform them into something beautiful and empowering, as a testament to female strength.

How do you build and maintain a strong relationship with your art collectors, and what do you think attracts them to your work?

My art seems to resonate on a personal level with collectors. They often share their own stories with me, finding parallels in the themes I explore. This creates a unique, intimate bond between my art and its viewers.

What overarching themes or messages are you currently focusing on in your artwork, and how do they evolve with you?

I continue concentrating on the "Birds with Birds" series, which delves into the female experience from my perspective. My artistic narrative is ever-evolving, reflecting my personal growth and learning as I age.

Your artistic practice spans a diverse range of mediums, from traditional painting to digital art. Do you find this multidisciplinary approach challenging, or does it invigorate your creative process?

I thrive on the variety of working with different mediums. Each one contributes uniquely to my artistic expression. Sticking to just one medium would feel restrictive to me. I enjoy the freshness and excitement that comes with mixing things up.

You've collaborated with various artists and brands, including your recent project with Tin Design for their inaugural candle. Can you tell us more about how this collaboration came about and your inspiration behind it?

Collaborations are exciting learning opportunities for me, and I'm honored to work with other creatives. The candle collaboration with Tin Design originated from a piece I made for a mural titled "His Egyptian Queen, He Gave Black Pearls For Eyes" at The Gallery at 164 in Leeds. Trudy from Tin Design, who sells a limited edition print of this work, proposed using it for their first candle.