Danish painter, Anita Espander: I inspired by observing nature
- KurdishMedia.com - By Kamal Chomani
- 10/07/2008 00:00:00
Step by step the name of great Danish painter "Anita Espander" will be common to Kurdish readers. That's because for many years, she has been living with Kurdish pains. She advocates the Kurdish issue with a difference eye, with a great art capacity treats the nature of Kurdistan and its colours.
Interview: Kamal Chomani
KurdishMedia.com: First of all I want to ask you, can you tell me some thing about the beginning of your life and how could you come to the world of painting art?
Anita Espander: I was born in Copenhagen and grew up there. The reason that I started painting was that I once visited The National Art Gallery, where I saw a fantastic and beautiful painting flower, which I wanted to try and paint. This was the start of my career as painter. I have had many exhibitions, both individual and together with other artists, and have amongst others exhibited at Haderslev Art Centre, at Tørning Mølle,at the "Old Prison" in Ribe, at Vellingkollers, Germany. Also at various galleries, old folks homes and shops. At the moment some of my water colours are on show on the island of Læsø.
KurdishMedia.com: Was it an imagination that you had got from the beginning of your childhood or you had tried to become a professional artist "painter"?
Anita Espander: Like everybody else, I had a dream of being something special. I have always painted-but not became famous. Instead I have used my time in helping and teaching other people to paint.
KurdishMedia.com: Would you tell the readers your areas of working "painting"?
Anita Espander: I am very keen on water colour painting as it is difficult and challenging type of painting. Water colours are very difficult to control, and sometimes it is the lively colours themselves which produce the painting. I also paint in oils and acrylic. It is exciting starting on a new painting and see what I can produce from an empty canvas. I paint porcelain and glass as well, which is also very exciting.
KurdishMedia.com: What is the material that gives you an idea to paint?
Anita Espander: I get much inspiration from observing nature. I love my garden and find inspiration from my flowers. But inspiration comes from many things, including the nature in Kurdistan, where it is so different from what I know with mountains, valleys and waterfalls.
KurdishMedia.com: What is painting to you?
Anita Espander: painting is essential to me. I love doing it, and it is away to express my feelings.
KurdishMedia.com: What's the message of your works towards humanity?
Anita Espander: In my paintings I would like to show that the world is a marvelous and beautiful place. One can show many small things through paintings, which others have not previously observed. I hope they see some of this beauty when they look at my paintings.
KurdishMedia.com: How are your relations with Kurds?
Anita Espander: I have some very good Kurdish friends.
KurdishMedia.com: When were you first time introduced with Kurds?
Anita Espander: The first time I heard about Kurdistan was through TV news and newspapers. They told of the dreadful things which were happening there, and of Saddam Hussein who had used poisonous gas on thousands of innocent people. Like most I was horrified that one person could be so evil.
KurdishMedia.com: Why do you love Kurds too much?
Anita Espander: The Kurdish people were very open and very kind people with time and interest for others, in spite of having many problems in their own in their country.
KurdishMedia.com: Did you ever visit Kurdistan?
Anita Espander: Unfortunately I have not yet had the opportunity of visiting Kurdistan, but I hope to so sometimes.
KurdishMedia.com: Some of Your paints are specialized to Kurdistan and its culture and political issues, for example one of them is about Kirkuk, what's your message through these paints?
Anita Espander: Yes, some of my paintings portray the nature in Kurdistan. Unfortunately much of it was ruined by Saddam Hussein, but it is beginning to recover its beauty again. I paint to try to portray nature vibrantly alive, as I believe all art and artists can portray the life and the beauty of the world.
KurdishMedia.com: Last month you sent a letter to some Kurdish writers, painters and poets, how could you find this amount of friends? I think even a Kurdish writer doesn't know this amount?
Anita Espander: I have become acquainted with many Kurds through my home side where I show my art, and through my Kurdish friends also.
KurdishMedia.com: You have a close friendship with Karwan Kaka Suur and Rebwar Siwayli, in Kurdistan readers look both writers as the elite of Kurdistan cultural area, how do you describe them?
Anita Espander: I regard especially Karwan Kaka Suur as my brother. He is a good person and a close friend. When I first knew Karwan, I did not know that he is a very good and well-known author. I thought he was a painter like myself. We plan in the future to translate some of Karwan's books in to Danish. Rebwar Siwayli is also a good friend of mine, and I have high regard for the good author, Rebwar.
If you wish to know more about Anita can visit this website: Anita's website
You may enjoy Anita's views of Kurdistan: Anita's view of Kurdistan
- KurdishMedia.com - By Kamal Chomani
- 10/07/2008 00:00:00