In the Studio | Alarah Gee
Fascinated by geometry, in particular the circle, Alarah Gee’s artistic practice is a methodical exploration of these themes. Read on to explore more of her work and learn about her studio philosophy.
TAPPAN
Tell us about yourself and how you came to be an artist…
ALARAH GEE
I’ve always been quite creative, as a way of life. I express it in a professional capacity and on a personal level, in so my ways. It necessary somehow, and very satisfying. I really enjoy it. Over the past couple of years, I have become more frustrated with digital technology, software programs, even phones can even be included. They are all superfluous and so impersonal. This was the catalyst. After many years of submitting to these advances, I opted to go back, to a simpler world. I began to draw again, challenge myself in new/old ways, instead of relying on software and preset tools, and that's how it began. Viva la pencil!
TAPPAN
Describe your work in three words...
ALARAH GEE
Exploiting the circle. Archism, Curvism, Circlism of sorts, maybe. 9 words. Yikes.
TAPPAN
Where do you draw inspiration from?
ALARAH GEE
Day to day observations, curiosities, situations, desirables and mood. A lot of quandaries and nuisances too. A lot of inspiration is personal problem solving. I am quite a practical person.
Alarah Gee says
“My concepts are very mood dependent, quite spontaneous, but the aim is to imagine new realities, that suit my curiosity at the moment.”
TAPPAN
What is your creative process?
ALARAH GEE
Grid format is the layout to my mind and the invisible guidelines to my paper. That’s how I begin. My concepts are very mood dependent, quite spontaneous, but the aim is to imagine new realities, that suit my curiosity at the moment. I'm always asking myself the question, "How can I translate this object/idea using just the circle?" It's a perception puzzle, with infinite amount of pieces. I introduce vertical and horizontal lines, and on some very special occasions a diagonal line, a hit of variable dimension is required sometimes. True perspective though, is something I choose to leave out. It's a process I have learned and understand, but one I don't wish to follow, unexplainably, I just don't feel it works.
I then go through quite a technical development process, I begin laying out the idea or concept, placing and arranging circles in such a way, until I deem it readable as a complete subject/object. Much, much later, after a wonderful game of trial and error, and a lot paper, the composition appears and the final line construction takes place. It can be tricky at times, but that’s just how I like it.
TAPPAN
Are there any quotes or mantras that you particularly connect with?
ALARAH GEE
Not in particular. Personally, I find them quite distracting from life itself.
TAPPAN
Who are some contemporaries or figures in art history who have influenced you?
ALARAH GEE
Cornelius Cardew. Monir Farmanfarmaian. Mouneer Al Shaarani. Yves Klein. Josef Albers. Isamu Noguchi. Walter Gropius. El Lissitzky. I could name more but you would have no website left.
TAPPAN
How have Bauhaus philosophies influenced your practice?
ALARAH GEE
Gosh, in so many ways. All practices, from Josef Albers unconventional approach to colour theory to Kandinsky’s representation of form. But, it’s Walter Gropius who has made the biggest impact on me, he is truly a remarkable man, it is his approach to learning, and value for creativity in education, that encouraged me to pursue my practice.
TAPPAN
What makes you laugh?
ALARAH GEE
My Father’s passion for educating me about motorcycles.
TAPPAN
What makes you nervous?
ALARAH GEE
(See above) ;) And, social media.
TAPPAN
What makes you excited about the future?
ALARAH GEE
Learning more, doing more, creating more.
