Artists We Love: Erin Chaplin

INTERVIEWED BY Lindi Brownell Meiring IMAGES courtesy of Erin Chaplin

Artist Erin Chaplin, whose upcoming solo, Nice For What, opens on 28 July 2018 at The Voorkamer Gallery at Chandler House in Cape Town, chats to VISI about what inspires her pieces, what she loves most about painting and which local artists she’s into right now.

Who or what inspires your work?

Most of my inspiration comes from nature. I am interested in the relationship between the natural and the artificial. I paint a lot of flowers and people because I think this relationship is well represented in them. I am also inspired by the people that I have interacted with throughout my life. 

When did you first realise you wanted to be an artist?

I was always interested in art, but I never really painted. I tried to paint once in my adult life but after an hour I found it incredibly frustrating and so I gave up. In 2016 I started to paint with watercolours and eventually moved on to oils. I think this is something I always wanted but I didn’t know it was something I could do. Timing was everything.

What do you love most about painting?

I love that painting allows me to collect my thoughts and therefore articulate myself better. Quietly! I also love the freedom of painting whatever I want, when I want. It doesn’t matter. Everything is important to the process. 

What is your favourite subject to paint?

I am always interested in painting still lifes. 

Any local artists whose work you love right now?

I love Athi-Patra Ruga, Dada Khanyisa, Alexis Christodoulou and Gitte Moller.

What are your plans for the rest of 2018?

I plan to travel in September and then keep working :)

Erin is sister to fellow artist Mia Chaplin, whose interview with VISI you can read here. To see more of Erin’s work, follow her on Instagram.