gallery/Natasha Barnes
A South
African at
Spring Fair
Natasha Barnes interviewed by
Peter Hancocks
Natasha Barnes started painting at the age of seven and although she
spent a number of years training to be a chef, she already knew that
boredom was inevitable, so she followed her heart and at 22 became a
semi-professional artist, going fully professional at 28. She is now known
worldwide for her abstract works and known similarly for holding
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outspoken views on the market in general. Th at said, she is very much
the artists friend. Although a short interview, it is packed with powerful
thought and I commend it to your attention.
y fi rst trade show was in Abu Dhabi a number of Natasha advises thus: “I’m pretty much given a free hand, obviously
M
years ago. Whilst I was there I met a publisher who there will be a brief. For instance, if you are doing something for
was holidaying. He saw my work and said that if Bermuda, it’s got to be tropical. It can be abstract, but it’s got to
Big Black Dot
I was serious about my work I should exhibit at be along those lines of colours. Th ey’re not going to buy those rich
Birmingham. At the time I didn’t even know where that was. Anyway African colours that I’m famous for, that do so well in the likes of
I looked up the show, booked a stand and on the fi rst hour of the Dubai for instance.
fi rst day, this self-same publisher arrived. He said ‘I knew you’d be “Talking about Dubai, I’ve just completed a fantastic show out there.
here’ and he went on to publish my work. He also went on to sell my I must tell you this. I was having lunch at the fair and a guy at the
work to Ikea, which was featured in 19 million catalogues.” next table asked me if I’d got a spare fork. I said that I had, but I’d
Natasha has been exhibiting at Spring Fair since 1998 as well as New only let him have it if he bought one of my paintings. Later in the
York. She now has agents and distributors in Australia, the whole of day he visited my stand and bought every single painting. Th at’s the
the Middle East including Iran, America, Canada as well as the UK. biggest sale I’ve ever had in one go. Th e guy bought the whole stand
It is understood that she only exhibits original works at exhibitions. just like that! Totally amazing!”
She continued: “It has been hard to get established, but once I was, With regard to the art market in general, Natasha has very fi xed
I entered a long time relationship in as much as all the people I’m in ideas. She told me: “I think that we should return to the basics. Stick
business with now I’ve known for years. It does take time to build to what you do. If you’re a moulding company, make mouldings. If Black Daisy II
up that kind of working relationship. I now deal with a group of you’re a publisher, stick to what you do and don’t try and sell framed
publishers across the world and work with them all very closely. Th at products. If you’re an artist, paint; why would you want to publish?”
said, publishing will never make you rich, it will only make you She concluded by saying: “I’m at the top of the food chain. Without
famous, so artists should use it as a tool. Th e more people around the me, there is nothing to publish, there is nothing to frame and there’s
world that see your name and work, the more it helps to promote nothing to sell.”
your originals. All these artists sign-up, thinking that they’re going When Natasha says that she is at the top of the food chain, I have
to make a mint on royalties, but it doesn’t work like that. As I say, little doubt that she is talking on behalf of artists everywhere!
publishing gets your name out there, and then you’re in for the long
haul. I love it, but I wouldn’t do it again. It’s been very hard. A lot of Tel: 00 27 31 916 2228
my work is commissioned now!” email: natbar@iafrica.com
And how much of a free hand is she given on commissions one www.natashabarnes.com
wonders?
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