Una Ursprung
Una Ursprung is a painter, living and working in France. Here she speaks to Lynn Seraina Battaglia via email about her works, the environment and life on the countryside…
LSB: Hi Una, thank you for taking time to 'talk' to me.
In your works, we are presented with landscapes and forests. There is something very familiar about these places, and yet, they seem like off a postcard or a distant memory. What do these places mean for you?
UU: Nice to receive your email! I’m happy to start this conversation with you!
The landscapes I paint may come from different sources. Mainly, they come from my life experiences. It may be a place I have seen that I have visited, it may be from an old photo, it may be from a memory or even an imagination. The content of the painting may also change with the seasons. The painting of these landscapes at the moment is my way of expressing my emotions and thoughts at that time. I am fascinated by the theme of nature because the natural environment gives me a sense of belonging.
LSB: Has this feeling changed over the past year? Going to nature seems to be one of the few consistencies in everyone's lives. Do you feel like this has reflected in your paintings?
UU: The feeling hasn't changed, it's just gotten deeper. Since I moved to the countryside five years ago, my paintings have changed from the fantasy nature of my imagination to a more realistic nature, and I have been able to concentrate more and calm my mind in my creation. Moreover, the focus of my paintings is more on the natural environment and environmental protection themes. Since I got used to living in the countryside, I think I can no longer adapt to the city life.
LSB: Well, the countryside really has become more and more appealing for everyone in a city during corona. But you don't just paint these landscapes and forests. You also intervene in this calming environment with almost artificially seeming spray color.
How would you describe your intervention and is it a little side nod to human intervention in nature in general?
UU: It is true that more and more people are aware of the importance of nature to us, and it would be good if we could pay more attention to environmental issues because of this.
The act of using spray paint on my oil paintings can be divided into several different intentions. My spray paint can be a wind, a rain, the traces of insects passing by, the floating of pollen, or lights, which I want to capture floating in the air. In addition, I intend to show the movement of my body, gestures and postures when I paint through spray paint. Of course, the larger size works are better to show this part of my intention. The spray paint also represents the intervention of the human being in the ecosystem. Since we are used to seeing the spray on in the city, not in nature, I tried to use the oil painting as a symbol of nature, and the spray as a symbol of human civilization. My goal was to create a conflict between these two worlds but somehow the result is a balanced harmony eventually. I tried to find a balance between oil painting and spray on my canvas, just like we people need to find the perfect balance with our environment.
LSB: The use of these different materials also changes the haptic of a painting. Do you think about that in your process?
UU: Yes, this is indeed the result I wanted to create in the process. The combination of spray paint and oil paint draws vivid contrasts and creates a divergent visual effect.
The movements of the spray paints are quick and free, as they have the ability to immediately change the atmosphere I initially created with careful brush strokes. In the process of painting, although I would first envision the composition to be painted, there was still much uncertainty in the execution of the painting, presenting a different effect than what was envisioned. It almost feels like another person has come into my painting and shown a different set of personality, desire and space. This is also quite an interesting part for me.
LSB: What is next for you?
UU: Continue to working hard on painting. ;)
LSB: Thank you so much for taking time!
