Inside the Studio

Nadia Attura creates a feeling of wanderlust through her work

What are the major themes you pursue in your work?

Travel-inspired landscape work. I am driven by a love of travel, and to experience and record the rich landscapes of our incredible world. Photography is the template by which I build my work, and I then add further images, textures, washes and sketches and then merge all of these visual elements together into one composition. I flow between using pure photography, or a single frame image, to building on that single layer to create a multi-layered, almost 3 dimensional interpretation of not only the place, but also the feelings that accompanied the journey there. As a photojournalist, I am used to communicating stories of others. Now as an artist I record and communicate my own stories.

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?

When I studied photojournalism we would critique our work with other tutors and students. But as an artist I haven’t been given any advice, as this is a journey I have made myself. My personal philosophy is to work hard, and if you truly love what you do it will be easy.

Prefer to work with music or in silence?

When I am creating work I always listen to music. My choice of music reflects how I feel and where I have recently visited. I am currently listening to The Lumineers and Vivaldi – The Four Seasons.

If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?

I have over 70 pieces of art which I have collected over the years. Two of my favorite pieces are both from Asia. One is of a painted portrait of a northern Vietnamese tribal woman in turquoise and gold, and she is gazing out of the frame with a peaceful happy expression upon her face. I can’t read the signature and unfortunately I lost the certificate while backpacking. The other depicts a Japanese woman elegantly dressed in Prussian blue with vermillion accents; she is also looking away. The work is painted on silk and is 150 years old. I cannot live without them!

Who are your favorite writers?

Travelling without moving is my other favorite pastime. I love writers who can immerse you in their travel adventure, who let you feel the adrenaline, the awe, the beauty, the frustrations, the peace and the humor of their voyage. I love the following writers: Paul Theroux, Dervla Murphy, Guy Delisle, Frank Gardner, Bill Bryson, and William Dalrymple. I am just about to read Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck

About the Author

Katherine Henning is Senior Associate Curator at Saatchi Art. Need help finding art? Contact her via our free Art Advisory service here.