Celebrating Creativity Across Swindon – is the strapline of the fast-approaching Swindon Open Studios. SOS being a key event in Swindon’s cultural calendar that’s now in its 20th year. This post celebrates two Swindon artists taking part in this year’s SOS event. They are: Joanna Scislowicz and Aradhna Rastogi. They’re among 140 artists and craftspeople at all stages of their creative journey, taking part in Swindon Open Studios this September.
Swindon Open Studios: Love Is? He Built Me an Art Studio! – Joanna Scislowicz
To quote a well-known nursery rhyme, ‘If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise!” For in a small orchard in a quiet Stratton cul-de-sac, Joanna Scislowicz works in a huge, purpose-built art studio. She’s surrounded by vibrant colour, dramatic images and a wide range of art materials. The story behind her stunning, well-lit studio? “My fiancé loves me so much he built it for me!’ she smiles.
As a child, Joanna set her heart on becoming an artist. To that end she spent ten years studying, resulting in a Master’s Degree in fine art from Poznań in her native Poland. Her large-scale oil paintings are bold, colourful statements rich in texture. She cites her main influences as abstract artists Rothko, Anish Kapoor and Antony Gormley. In 2006, Hungary’s Kogurt House (a non-profit museum) selected Joanna to represent Poland in an exhibition of European artists. The museum bought her painting. And she’s since exhibited in Los Angeles, Berlin, Budapest, Poznan, Wroclaw and London.
Joanna moved to London to study, then to Devizes. She was planning to move back to London when her fiancé Bryan promised to build her an art studio in Swindon. Although she’d never heard of Swindon, she took the plunge and left the hustle and bustle of London behind! They renovated a house and Bryan kept his promise. Joanna has impeccable taste with an interior and landscaped garden worthy of an Ideal Homes photoshoot. It’s a pleasure to visit their home to see her artwork displayed in an amazing setting.
Aradhna Rastogi
Another Swindon artist whose supportive husband created an art studio for them, is Aradhna Rastogi. Her Indian father was a goldsmith; hence many paintings incorporate gold leaf. She started drawing henna tattoos aged five, but it’s only in later life that she’s dedicated herself to her art.
Six years ago, a colleague of hers at Lethbridge Primary School told her she was good and encouraged her to paint more. Aradhna kept buying art materials and when her hobby began taking over the dining room and lounge, her husband said he’d make space for her. Much to her delight, he converted their Wroughton garage into a perfect, well-insulated artist’s studio. For Aradhna, that was a dream come true!
Although Aradhna has a young family, her husband Praveen supports her so she can paint for several hours each evening. She studies with New Masters Academy and begins by making a charcoal tonal study which informs her work. She says, ‘If you do still life properly, you can paint anything!’ Aradhna loves meeting people and sharing her paintings and 3D work with them during Open Studios. Look out for her skilful paintings of a Kingfisher and Spanish Flamenco dancer, among beautiful works that reflect her Indian heritage.
Swindon Open Studios
Swindon Open Studios is a free community art event in September with artists and craftspeople from all walks of life, who’ve followed very different paths. Some are qualified, some are completely self-taught, but they all have a passion to create. There’s so much variety, there is something for everyone.
See www.swindonopenstudios.org to choose which exhibitors to visit. Or pick up a brochure or A5 folded guide in Swindon libraries, pubs and cafés.
