Make Space artist Hiroko Imada answers our probing questions…

Who are you and explain what you do in 100 words? My name is Hiroko Imada. I am a Japanese artist based in London. I am a painter, printmaker and site specific installation artist. I enjoy using  traditional Japanese art technique elements with a contemporary twist on my work and as well as creating my own art pieces. I have been teaching Japanese Woodblock printmaking, paper making, folded screen making and hanging scroll making for museums, art galleries and schools.

What’s your background? My initial study was at the Tokyo Zokei University in Japan then I moved to London to study at the Slade School of Fine Art (UCL) in Postgraduate Printmaking. I granted the British Council Fellowship to do my own research at the Slade after completing the course and this extra year allowed me able to stay in the U.K. on self-employed artist visa and eventually I was granted Indefinite remain in the U.K. in 1997.

What role does art have in society? Art has the power to appeal to anyone regardless of race, nationality, language, wealths etc and in a society its power should bring people together for a good will. 

What’s your favourite piece of art? A very difficult question to answer as it changes from time to time. At the moment, my favorite piece of art is ‘Pine Trees’ by Tohaku Hasegawa. I always feel very relaxed and refreshed by seeing this picture.

Why art? Because I love it and it is the best way for me to express myself within my ability. 

What superpower would you have and why? I do not think I want any superpower. It is very scary to have an unusual power!

What talent do you yearn for? Ballet. For my 89 years old teacher’s sake, I would like to be a better dancer!

What is your dream project? To work on a project with Dance, Music and Art together directed by myself. It will never happen as I have no talent to become a director!

Best piece of advice you’ve been given? Keep doing! 

Professionally, what’s your goal? I am not setting a specific goal but my aim is always creating a better work than yesterday.

What wouldn’t you do without? The work I love, my family and friends.

What does Make Space mean to you? Make Space is a wonderful community with very friendly, professional, and hardworking people in all sorts of art and design styles and since I moved here in April 2014, I have been given lots of supports and help by members and I cannot thank them enough. I am really grateful to be a part of this community.

Hiroko Imada

(今田 裕子)

Make Space artist Miranda Pissarides answers our probing questions…

Who are you and explain what you do in 100 words? My name is Miranda and I am a painter/ sculptor. I also practice ethical taxidermy. I live and work in London.

What’s your background? I am half Italian and half Cypriut though grew up and studied in London. I went to a pro-feminist school in central London, which I guess has in turn influenced my work. I completed a Foundation Diploma in Fine Art from St Martins London, and then a BA in Fine Art from the Slade School of Fine Art. I have been working as an independent artist for 3 years now.

What role does art have in society? What a difficult question! Art has served as so many different uses throughout history – I am most interested in the place it had in society during the Renaissance and High Renaissance period in Rome and the Vatican City. If I try to think about it in today’s society – its all a bit bleak. Though I guess that’s interesting in itself.

What’s your favourite piece of art? I don’t have a favourite. I have many favourites and like to keep an open mind.

Why art? ‘Art’ was never a choice – since an early age I have always been drawn to it and have used it in some way along every stage of my life. Weather or not it is practically ideal or secure as a career choice is a different matter!

What superpower would you have and why? I would have the power to end world poverty, end all war, actually, perhaps I could also go back in time so that I could stop all the past wars from happening??  Is that too much to ask ☺

What talent do you yearn for? I really cant sing so sometimes I send videos of myself ‘singing’ to my friends if they are annoying me. I guess for their sake I would want the talent to sing so as to not cause migraines etc.

What is your dream project? Working on a huge sculpture, fully funded with limitless space and as much colour as possible.

Best piece of advice you’ve been given? Always be honest with yourself and others – bullshitting can only take one so far.

Professionally, what’s your goal? To continue to be able to make the work I want to make at the same time as being able to financially support myself.

What wouldn’t you do without? Coffee. Lots of it

What does Make Space mean to you? Make Space has given me the opportunity to make my work in a space that I can afford that is still within London. This has become near to impossible. I cannot express how grateful I am that for now these studios continue to be just that.

Make Space artist Elisa Cantarelli answers our probing questions…

Who are you and explain what you do in 100 words? My name is Elisa Cantarelli. I am an Italian visual artist based in London since 2009. I work predominantly with mixed media on printed images, a unique technique I call Dotting, which is my personal way to colour an image. Dropping the media colour on colour, shade on shade.

What’s your background? I have studied Art since I was 13 and also played basketball for nearly 20 years. Those have always been my passions.

I graduated at the Bologna Academy of Fine Art in 2006. In 2007 I won the national award Premio Nazionale delle Arti and my work was exhibitied at Bologna Art Fair. This opportunity gave my work a lot of visibility. Since then I have taken part in solo shows, group shows & art fairs in Italy, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong.

What role does art have in society? In my opinion Art should be the perfect escape. We are living in a very difficult world.

I try to express my art so that in some way it can provide that escape. I try to underline what is positive, what is funny, what makes you smile, what makes you laugh because I believe that an optimistic and positive attitude can help you face every day real life better. I am down to earth taking care of everyday emotions. But I respect and admire artists who often choose to describe really terrible situations in the world, to point out problems, to fight them, to show them to people through their Art.

What’s your favourite piece of art? There are too many between old masters and contemporary artists. If I have to pick one piece… actually one artist I would say Yayoi Kusama with her massive installations: ‘Infinity Rooms’ and ‘Dots Obsession’ series of installations reconfigures her trademark polka dots and mirrors.

Why art? Why art and why basketball?!  Because I was lucky that my parents gave me the freedom to follow my passions. So the answer would be: Because I love it, I love what I do and it gives me a lot of energy and strength.

What superpower would you have and why? Teleportation! To be able to go quickly back home to see my family and friends anytime I want.

What talent do you yearn for? Multitasking artist, wife, mum and friend.

What is your dream project? To find the perfect balance between the above, which will lead to real happiness… Teleporting included of course!!!

Best piece of advice you’ve been given? To work hard and be yourself.

Professionally, what’s your goal? To become a full time artist!

What wouldn’t you do without? Love, family and my Art.

What does Make Space mean to you? It’s a community space where I can have the freedom to create, share and grow as an artist and as a person.