Ep.#39: Rooted in Art - Vanessa Cowling’s South African Canvas

🎙️ Welcome to Ep. #39 of The Urbanaut Podcast, presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com. In this insightful episode, we explore the artistic journey of Vanessa Cowling, a South African artist-photographer whose work interweaves sustainability with photographic practice. Her dedication to the environment and unique approach to cameraless photography highlights her groundbreaking projects such as "Fixing Shadows" and her evocative series, "Shoreline." About Our Guest: Vanessa CowlingVanessa is a lecturer and practicing photographic artist based in Cape Town, South Africa. Her career spans multiple continents, having spent years in New York, London, and Edinburgh before returning to her roots. She holds a BA Honours from the Michaelis School of Fine Art (UCT), recently completed her MFA with distinction, and has been recognized with the 2023 Tierney Fellowship and the international “Blurring the Lines” competition. Her work, which also features in the 2024 Venice Biennial, interrogates the role of photography in a changing landscape, marrying her artistic endeavors with her commitment to environmental sustainability. Tune in to this episode to: * Discover Vanessa’s transformative approach to photography, from traditional practices to innovative, sustainable methods. * Delve into the depths of "Fixing Shadows" and "Shoreline," understanding the impact of personal loss and environmental awareness on her work. * Learn about the sustainable photographic garden Vanessa cultivates, emphasizing reciprocal relationships with nature. Don't forget to: * Subscribe to our channel for more episodes exploring innovative art and photography. * Like and share this episode to support sustainable practices in the arts. * Follow us on social media for updates and exclusive content from visionary artists like Vanessa. EPISODE LINKS: Vanessa's Contact: www.vanessacowling.com Vanessa’s Instagram: @vanessacowling OUTLINE: 0:00 - Coming Up 2:27 - Switching from Science to Art 7:44 - Art Meets Science 10:16 - Exploring Human Connections 13:21 - Motivation for MFA 17:00 - Family and Art 19:25 - Artistic Influences 24:40 - MFA Experience 28:07 - Themes in Current Work 36:37 - "Shoreline" Project Insights 42:08 - Technology and Art 44:07 - Art as Reflective Practice 48:37 - Discussion on Life and Art 50:18 - Evolution into Non-Camera Work 1:04:06 - Photographic Composting 1:15:28 - Influence of Local Environment on Art 1:35:39 - Preparing for Exhibitions 1:58:29 - Art Show Reflections and Audience Engagement SOCIAL: * Twitter: /UrbanautPodcast * Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast * Instagram: /TheUrbanautPodcast * Support on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcast #VanessaCowling #TheUrbanautPodcast #Photography #SustainableArt #EnvironmentalArt #CameralessPhotography #VeniceBiennial #Urbanautica #SteveBisson #PatrickLeeHubbard