Brian Borshoff Artist – Up Close & Personal

JahRoc are excited to be introducing new artist, Brian Borshoff to the gallery with his playful animal sculptures. After years as an art enthusiast and hobbyist experimenting in different mediums, Brian is now focusing on his love of sculpture, firstly working with clay to create his forms, followed by resin casting. The animals presented in Brian Borshoff’s sculptures are full of expression and character, making them easy to connect with and bringing a smile to your face.

When did you first feel the desire to be artistic and realize you had talent?

I have always been interested in drawing, ever since I was very young. I chose architecture as my career and those drawing skills were developed. Later in life and with a little more time I have explored painting (water colour and acrylic) and most recently I have taken this to the third dimension–I am really enjoying my sculpture! (clay, resin)

Where did you learn your art?

I believe I have been lucky enough to be born with the gift of creativity and a brain that never stops (exhausting sometimes). Most recently I have been privileged to work with Robert Hitchcock –an accomplished Australian (Perth based) sculptor as i continue to learn and develop my craft.

What inspires you most?

I’m inspired by everything! I am always looking around me, taking in the light, the landscape, movement. Inspiration is everywhere if you look.

What message are you sending to the viewer of your art?

I really appreciate and feel passionate about design. I tell anyone that listens that when you buy something that is designed or created you want to wake up every morning and get pleasure from just seeing it. Over and over again. I would hope the viewer of my art simply gets immense pleasure from looking at it, taking it in and appreciating it

Describe your studio

I have recently bought a property on several acres halfway between Margaret River and Prevelly. My partner and I spent a year designing and extending the existing cottage and we are now in the process of building my new studio. The studio will be a very minimalist building with a wall of glass looking out over the pasture and the billabong that we created. In the early morning and the late afternoon we have several families of kangaroos that wander in to graze and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Describe your typical day of creating art

I don’t really have a typical day of creating art. As a creative, I work when the mood is right. I find it almost impossible to make art happen when or if I am not in the right space. When I am, I like to work with music and lose myself in the process. Time falls away and it is a completely therapeutic or zen-like experience. I often create something and then look at it almost incredulously. It is as though I have been channelling someone and the piece created is outside of me.

What mediums do you use and why?

Initially I commenced drawing with artline marker and white paper. This progressed to acrylic and then on to watercolour. I really liked the freedom of water colour and the flexibility or forgiveness it offered me as an artist. It is fluid and not as rigid as acrylic or oil. Completely out of left field I started sculpting clay about 2 years ago and the freedom and silkiness of working with the clay was just fantastic. I still find it incredible to have an idea in your head and watch as your hands almost birth this 3-dimensional creature or object right in front of your eyes. I feel that sculpture will be the art form that I want to go on exploring with. It brings me an amazing amount of pleasure and I find myself impatient to get back to the studio and work on the current project or piece.

What are you working on now?

I recently finished the lizard (or goanna). These are resident on our property and their shyness and fluidity of movement captivated me. They are like mini dinosaurs and wonderful to sculpt. I am about to commence work on another native animal –a bilby. The challenge as the artist is to not simply reproduce the creature but capture something of the essential characteristic or personality. When this is done successfully, as I believe I have done with the lizard, the viewer can connect with the creature. It is more than simply viewing.

What are your recent career achievements you feel proud of?

I am relatively new in my career as an artist. As an architect I have worked all over the world and have been privileged to work on some significant projects in some very exciting locations. I am proud to create artwork with my hands that others become excited about, engage with and are simply uplifted by viewing. Artwork and sculpture is a completely different scale for me and it allows my imagination to directly translate to the product, there is no client or middle man! And I don’t need a team to produce it!

What do you love most about what you do?

Without a doubt I absolutely love the freedom of creativity and the opportunity it brings to create something from my imagination (or head) that brings me pleasure and also pleasure to those around me. My own litmus test of a piece is that I never tire of looking at it and it never stops bringing me that pleasure when viewed.

Where can you see yourself in 10 years time?

10 years time I see myself in Margaret River in my studio with a portfolio of artwork that has been exhibited and purchased. I would hope that my artwork is sought after for the pleasure it brings the people that engage with it. If I let my ego off the leash for a moment, it would be the icing on the cake to have one or two public art work installations out there somewhere!