Belonging and Intimacy
Marie-Eve G. Castonguay Originally from Quebec City, Marie-Eve G. Castonguay is an emerging jewellery artist currently based in Toronto, Canada. She holds a diploma from the École de Joaillerie de Québec as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewellery Design and Metalsmithing from NSCAD University, in Halifax. She is currently part of the Artist-in-Residence programme at Harbourfront Centre.
www.marieevegcastonguay.com
Marie-Eve G. Castonguay – 30sec film artists Q&A
- What super power do you want to have?
- How do you usually get inspired again after working on a big project/painting?
- Do you have a motto or creed that as an artist you live by?
- How do you come up with ideas?
- What project/art are you hoping to create but haven’t got chance to do yet?
- Is there a childhood experience that has helped shape the kind of work you do today?
What super power do you want to have?
I wish I could always know what is going on in people’s minds.
How do you usually get inspired again after working on a big project/painting?
I try to use my down time between exhibitions to do some material explorations and try new things. When I find something new and awesome, I get excited again and the creative flow comes back naturally! Also, I feel like my work is often a response to whatever is happening in my own life, even though this is for the most part unconscious. For instance, after I moved to the biggest city in Canada, I started to develop an interest in the sociological aspect of gardens and how they represent a haven of peace away from the turmoil of the city. I didn’t make the connection at the time when I started the body of work, but now that I think about it, it totally makes sense!
Do you have a motto or creed that as an artist you live by?
Do not procrastinate because you are afraid.
How do you come up with ideas?
I usually write a lot. I am a pretty rational person and every element of my work needs to make sense and to be there for a reason. Sometimes I wish that I could be spontaneous and improvisational with my artwork, but it is just not natural for me. Therefore I go through a research phase, I reflect and write about my topic, and then the designs are almost a rational response to my reflections.
What project/art are you hoping to create but haven’t got chance to do yet?
As I started to work more and more with paper, I have been dying to get into paper making. This is definitely something I would love to incorporate in my work. As much as I love working with metal, I feel like it is becoming sort of my default material. However, I do feel sometimes like some other materials could better capture the essence of what I want to communicate.
Is there a childhood experience that has helped shape the kind of work you do today?
As I child, I spent a lot of time with my dad, who was a physics teacher, learning how things worked and how things were made. I feel like he played a determining role in developing my obsession with mechanisms and all things that move!
