a little chat with our cover artist charlotte allingham
Meet the clever artist behind the cover of our lovely summer bumper issue.
Hi Charlotte, tell us a bit about yourself. My name is Charlotte, but I’m also known as Coffinbirth. I’m a 28-year-old Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa woman from Central West New South Wales, but I live in Naarm (Melbourne).
What are your biggest inspirations? There are so many things that inspire me, but one in particular is nature. I always like to include something to do with Country in my work.
Tell us a bit about your process. I normally start off with an idea in my head. All of the planning happens inside my head rather than by sketching ideas on paper. Then I get some references and colour ideas together and just smash it out. I like giving the piece the space to find its own way to completion, but when is art ever finished?
What’s the story behind this botanical work? I love our flowers so much; I think it’s special that our flag colours are scattered all over the land, through plants. I always feel weird seeing colonial botanical pieces, so I wanted to create something that I can see us and our land in. Plus, I’m a sucker for flowers.
How do you hope people feel when looking at your work? I put a lot of themes and symbols in my work, which mean something to me and my experience, but I like giving people the freedom to find their own meanings. I like seeing the connections they make on their own.
What are your favourite flowers? I have so many – I love gum leaves and waratahs because they remind me of home, but I also love nasturtiums because their leaves are circular, and that’s just so cool.
Where can we see more of your stuff? You can find my work online at charlotteallingham.com and on Instagram at @coffinbirth.
This little chat comes straight from the pages of frankie 105. Head here to find your closest stockist, pick up a copy from our online store or subscribe from $65.
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