Interview with Charlotte Balmforth, Winner of the 2023 Youth Recognition Award
Empire Times 50.1 Front Cover Art, designed by Charlotte Balmforth.
INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY KATIA RAWLINGS, 2023 ET EDITOR.
Charlotte is a 17 year old SA based artist who suffers from multiple chronic illnesses. These have impacts on her mental and physical health which she expresses in her artwork. She has just won an art competition along with three others and that has awarded her an exhibit in the SALA (South Australian Living Artists) Festival. The exhibit will be at OYEH on beach road in Christies Beach between the 1st and 31st of August 1:00pm—5:30pm or by appointment.
What is your favourite part of creating art?
The end is my favourite part, seeing a piece come together. People can look at it and everyone can see it in a different way and that’s really special.
What are your goals for your artwork?
I would like to be able to sell them eventually because it’s a way that I will actually be able to make some money for myself. Whether that be on canvases, T-shirts, mugs or other collectables.
I would like to be able to paint something on a bigger scale that could draw some more attention to my work. I am about to have an exhibition in the SALA festival which will be a great achievement of mine which will hopefully help my future work.
What do you want this exhibition to lead to?
I guess my main goal is to have more people see my work. I think I would also like to show my audience and help them understand what it is like for people with chronic illnesses. I also want to help people with similar issues feel seen and understood, to know that they aren’t alone.
How do you feel your artwork connects to mental health?
Most of my paintings are created from when I have been in a negative headspace or in a health flare for whatever reason. It’s a way of releasing the negativity in a healthy way rather than it manifesting in physical pain or muscle twitches.
I’m not good at getting things out through words but there is no judgement through art in a way that there is through language.
What is the inspiration for some of your artworks?
I don’t really have much outside inspiration it just manifests from what I feel. My art expresses what I feel on the inside, so I guess my inspiration is my own pain.
How does creating art help your mental health?
It helps me regulate my emotions and gives me a safe space to express them. Sometimes life is just crap and if you don’t have an outlet then it can really shake you. Painting has helped me cope in the midst of the destruction that is my life.
What are your challenges in creating art?
There are challenges from my body which may not allow me to create artwork. Sometimes my pain will prevent my and other times my brain won’t let me focus enough to spend the time creating. Paint is also expensive and as the main form of art I work with it can become very space limiting as well. I primarily paint on canvas and you have to find space to put them all once you are finished a project and we have run out of wall space.
Do you have any words for other people in a similar position to you?
I’m probably going to sound like a greeting card throughout this part. When you feel like you can’t speak, art can talk for you. It doesn’t have to be good for it to help you. Don’t let it rot inside, let it out! Keep going, even if you feel like you can’t.
EDITORIAL NOTE: This article has been reuploaded and was originally published in 2023.