Introducing Artist Portia Subran
Who are you in two sentences or less? I day dream my life away through writings and drawings. My drawings and art pieces represent the world I want to run away to, the earth made in my own fashion and design, my dreaming coming to life.
Tell me a bit about your background: Where are you from? What was it like growing up there? I’m from Chaguanas, (a town in Trinidad) where my ancestors have lived since they’ve stepped off the boat, I like to say I’m a fourth generation Chaguanas resident. I live at home with my parents and my sister. I’m very close to my Dad; he’s a budding artist as well.
He brought me up around lots of art and has taken me to lots of museums, he was the one person who has always supported me and tried to help me with getting better. I realise a lot of parents wouldn’t do this, but he would try very hard to get me to the place I wanted to be. Growing up with all of his influences has really groomed me into the person and artist I am today.
Do you think your background has influenced your work? If yes, how so. Oh yeah, quite a bit. I can see my mind in my work, the symbols are all endemic to me and I suppose I am the only person who understands why I’m putting there on paper. Down to colours and patterns, it’s all figured out before though it doesn’t look like it. Order within the chaos I suppose.
What are the main themes/ ideas behind your work? When I’m doing my work, the main figure is always a woman who is usually not clothed, I love girls, I love the way their bodies curve and how light falls on them, playing with their skin.
I also have recently appreciating a more decorative style which I am using to accentuate the women I draw. Since I love music and reading, I’ve began incorporating elements of those as well. It’s quite fun trying to do new things, but I always return to my first love, the aesthetics of the female form.
Lost Mother Gaia by Portia Subran
If you could be doing anything else other than art, what would that be and why? I would be writing, it’s something that I do when I’m actually not drawing. I enjoy writing short stories, the occasional poem and spoken word, and I am about half way through my first my novel. I love writing, perhaps more than I love drawing or at least the same amount; it’s another creative outlet I use when I can’t piece together the images in my mind: I use the words instead.
Any favourite artists/designers? How have they influenced you? Since I was a child, I’ve always loved the work of Van Gogh, as I grew older I saw him as a kindred spirit who was rather depressed and tried to find the joys of his life through art. I am quite fortunate that my father loves him as well, and we’ve been to a lot of museums with his work.
I also am a huge fan of Marc Chagall, his work which is primarily surrealism and fantasy l and that has inspired me to go free with my dream themed work. I also love the work of Edvard Munch, his stuff is deeply melancholy and I can feel the depression he has endured through life. These artist give inspire me to be free, to develop myself, to manifest what I feel on paper.
My favourite Trinidadian artist is Danielle Boodoo-Fortune, and my favourite local photographer is MarkGellineau. They all have an appreciation for faces, bodies and skin something we share, I suppose.
Dream Reader by Portia Subran
What's your vision for where you'd like your work to be in 5, 10 and 20 years? I just hope my work develops, that it doesn’t remain stagnant, that I find new inspiration in new experiences.
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