Interview with an artist: Nina Bonnici
Published on:Jealous is thrilled to present next on our calendar, Nina Bonnici’s exhibition ‘Ripe Until We’re Rotten’. Ahead of Nina’s first solo exhibition, we sat down with the artist to talk about her practice and inspiration.
Jealous
What draws you to painting as a medium to portray your ideas?
Nina
It scratches every itch. It’s the only time I can simultaneously concentrate and let my brain go into free fall.
Jealous
Do you have any other artists or specific artworks that inspire you work?
Nina
Lil’ Kim’s ‘Hard Core’ album, Tennessee William’s ‘Camino Real’ play, things like that.
Jealous
Your works portray these humorous and recognisable characters, often with darker undertones in the scene that become more apparent the longer you look at the work. What made you align these characters with the subject matters you aim to portray?
Nina
I’m painting scenes and portraits from a world that’s evolving in my head, it couldn’t be anything other than dark and humorous.
Jealous
You mentioned cartoons and car boot sales when speaking about your work. Do you have any particular nostalgic characters in your childhood upbringing that resonate with you?
Nina
My mum and the extra sweet tea in a flask at a car boot sale when it’s 6AM and two degrees.
Jealous
Where do you like to create, do you have a studio space where your ideas come to life? Or do you get inspired on the go?
Nina
My place, boyfriend’s desks, dad’s kitchen table, most places I can sit with a brew.
Jealous
What’s next for Nina? After this debut solo show, will you be focusing on producing more works, or is there anything else in the works?
Nina
More brews, more paintings.
Nina (b. 1996) is a British artist from Lancashire, currently living and working in London. As an artist, she primarily works with Gouache to produce distinctively characterful paintings.
Although new to the scene, Bonnici’s painting style is already clearly recognisable. Bonnici produces original artworks that draw inspiration from classic European Masters, entwined with whimsical characters from 90’s cartoons and americana. As an artist, Bonnici endeavours to explore themes of femininity, beauty and pain through subversive imagery.
‘Ripe Until We’re Rotten’ will be held from 3rd to the 26th of April at Jealous, 53 Curtain Road, EC2A 3PT.