About Magdalena Antrobus
Magdalena Antrobus is an artist, philosopher, and psychologist with a PhD in Philosophy of Mind from The University of Birmingham, UK, and a Master of Arts Degree from Warsaw University, Poland. After obtaining her PhD, Magdalena dedicated her life to painting – something that she always loved and felt passionate about. She continues to develop her style and portfolio, inspired by her fascination with the mind, psychology, and philosophy. She now lives with her family near Stratford Upon Avon.
Although Magdalena likes experimenting with many subjects, she has a particular affinity to the themes surrounding the human mind, mental health and emotions. This can be clearly seen in her figurative abstract works. She also loves painting abstract landscapes, frequently inspired by her own travels and photographs. Her favourite mediums are - either interchangeably or complementary - acrylics and oils.
Artist’s Statement
My aim is to create artwork that challenges our established views on the dichotomy of “balance” vs “disorder”, “standard” vs “eccentric”, “normal” vs “pathological”. In my Doctoral Dissertation entitled “Epistemic and Psychological Benefits of Depression”, I successfully argued that despite its harmful characteristics, depression has the capacity to offer some benefits to the suffering person. These benefits may include more realistic perception, deeper empathy and enhanced creativity.
Using art as a mean of communication, I continue to show that the boundaries between that which we perceive as “normal” and that which we find “unusual” are – most frequently – blurred and insignificant. The beauty of being human arises not from perfection, but – to the contrary – from our capability of making mistakes, from our failures and downfalls. Our struggles and challenges make us who we are, make us beautiful, make us human.
My figurative artworks are most often inspired by conversations I have with people: their challenges, experiences, apparently random events which left long-term traces on their lives. Particularly inspirational are stories of mental battles which people fight with themselves, only to find that self-acceptance is their most powerful weapon against the challenges.
I am fascinated by the possibilities of mixed media and collage work. The techniques used in collage perfectly mirror the variable, unique, and random nature of human psychology. When creating a collage-based artwork, I start with a quick sketch allowing the figures, colours and materials to take their place on the stage. It is usually decided at this point who - or what - will play the leading role on the canvas. Depending on the message I want to spread, it may be a particular colour, shape or a detail that will play the protagonist role. I then assemble all the other elements around this central figure, creating a coherent story. I use acrylic paint, marker pens, spray paint, and paper – to mention only a few. Interesting additions to my collage are torn pages from the books I read; the printed text is completing the message told by the artwork.
When painting a landscape, I am similarly fascinated by contrast and uncertainty. I attempt to picture the beauty lying in chaos and randomness, the strength in that which many fear: weakness, darkness, stillness, or loneliness: unused telegraph poles or empty flag masts are common theme in my landscape series, emphasising the unspeakable beauty which appears at abandoned shores and harbours, where the usual hustle and bustle of the world ends. I like using the colours theoretically presented as contrasting in an attempt to show their practical complementary character. Light cannot exist without darkness.
I usually start off a new series of paintings using one of the photos from my travels or a piece of music. Particularly contemporary classical and jazz music translates into a specific picture in my imagination, which I sometimes carry in my memory for days, before transferring it onto a canvas.
Events:
Awards:
The artwork "Illegal Alien: Trying to fit in" (acrylics on canvas) - a winning entry in "Acrylic 6" contest held by The Artists Network, 2018.
The artwork "Época" (mixed media on board) - the recipient of "High Commendation" award at the Stratford Upon Avon Art Society Annual Exhibition, 2018.
Upcoming talks: "Art and Mental Illness" - invited speaker at the Mental Health and Wellbeing conference, University of Nottingham, 29 November, 2018
Upcoming publications:
"Illegal Alien" to be published in the "Acrylic 6" collection book by North Light Books (March 2019)
