The work Linda Chapman creates is about capturing natural light when it is at its most playful and colourful by way of reflection and refraction, It emphasises so much that could barely be seen before.
Chapman is very interested in architecture and believes that art has a great ability to change how an area can feel and how you see it. So most of her work happens within an urban area. Urban windows offer such fascinating frames, showing a representation, giving away so much but never telling the truth. What is inside? What is outside? She seeks to bring a unique perspective on city life through her lens without any filters or manipulation – photographing exactly what she sees and does not use manipulation to create or layer the image – just a little extra contrast to bring out the colours. Her images are then mounted onto aluminium and often framed in metal depending on the requirements of the individual image.
Self-taught or art school?
First worked in a fine art photographic studio for 5 years then went to college.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
One of the amazing wood and string sculptures by Barbara Hepworth. I love her work and another great love of mine is making things and wood I am very much in tune with her inspiration for them and would love to be able to produce something like that.
How would you describe your style?
The modern version of tradition. I like to do what I see and feel, if I can’t feel it, I can’t make it. Light makes me tick and photography was my first love because of how it started. Hence I do not use gadgets to help create the image, I focus on the light and its refraction.
Is narrative important within your work?
Yes to me. It will reflect my feelings on the light and the surroundings that I saw in my image, sometimes whimsical, sometimes great happiness at a very sunny location, sometimes darkening and heavy.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
Henri Cartier- Bresson, I loved his simplicity. A handheld small camera and just streets and the people on them. Such beautiful images are so well caught as if they were staged.
What or who inspires your art?
Again it would be Cartier-Bresson. I spent a lot of time doing street photography in black and white which led me to discover the colours with reflections and refraction. Although a different subject, I too have to use a similar system as he did with the ‘decisive moment’
Are there any recurring themes within your work and can you tell us about them?
They are always about how the light works on my subject and how that can change from the time of day and the seasons.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
My main ’studio’ is on the streets where I take my camera to. My finishing /cataloguing area is at home in London in a spare room that I call my little museum. It houses my work and all the bits and pieces that I collect which encourages me no end when I am working there.
Do you have any studio rituals?
It must be tidy and organised! But it’s not always like that! It also must have one of my dogs there keeping me company!
What are you working on currently?
I am exploring new city areas this summer, which is my best time for working and intending to test out new ways of mounting and framing.
Where can we buy your art?
My website – https://www.lindachapmanart.co.uk or https://www.saatchiart.com/lindachapman
What are your ambitions?
My aim is to try and show people new ways of looking at things that are used to seeing and how beautiful an ordinary urban area can be. Just to get people to stop a little longer and look again. Apart from that it would be very exciting to have a major solo exhibition.
For information visit: https://www.lindachapmanart.co.uk and https://www.instagram.com/lindachapman_art
