Natalie Finkelstein

The first time art ever got me into trouble was in kindergarten when my teacher scolded me for spending too much time in the arts and crafts corner, instead of interacting with the other children in a more direct way. What I knew then, and what my teacher clearly did not understand, was that my attachment to pipe cleaners, construction paper and markers, was not an expression of anti-social tendencies but instead a manifestation of my preference for visual communication. Growing up, I have consistently defied all cautionary advice against the pursuit of art and have turned my love of kindergarten crafts into a creative career. For the last decade I have applied my artistic interests professionally in design and illustrative projects mainly in the fashion industry. My self-initiated work is fuelled by my interest in female representation in mainstream culture, and the role played by fashion in perpetuating the co-dependent relationship between women and constructions of femininity. I am both seduced and disheartened by the portrayal of beauty in Western society and the exploration of this ambivalence is central to my artistic practice.