I must admit when we first saw Ronit Barangas art here in FOURLINEdesign we were amazed! For a hot minute, we couldn't decide if it was the amazing detailing on her pieces that made us feel like that or the idea of a completely parallel world that is created from the mind of an artist.
We needed to go to our community at our Instagram page @fourline.design which count 55.000+ followers to see what is the response we will get since they been the best critics of unique art that we are creating. And in the many mixed reviews that we got, we could feel the same energy. One thing was in common: every single one of our followers praised her art. Some of them wanted to have a tea party especially with her outstanding tea set, which looks like it is going to run away from your table while grabbing your tea, honey, and milk! Some of them felt confused although they liked her art very much.
That was the moment when we decided to go a step further and ask Ronit for a small interview so we could get some thoughts behind the scenes and feel more closely the energy that drives her.
Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?
I am an artist, living and creating in Israel. I have been creating since I remember myself. I have always painted, but only after I completed my university degrees in Psychology and Literature, I started studying at Art College, where I was first introduced to the art of clay. Since then – I sculpt.
What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?
For me, creating is a necessity. Creating is an uncontrollable state of an unquiet being, in which I must create. The creation is an ambivalent state of an endless, unsatisfying search. Sometimes, I succeed in creating correct things that excite me and balance, even if only for a brief moment, my unquiet state. These moments are the essence of my existence as an artist.
In the studio, at any given time, there are several works-in-progress in various stages. I work simultaneously on a number of sculptures because the material requires different working times and also because I like the diversity of starting the day working on one sculpture and ending it working on another. Usually, when I work on a sculpture, I already see the next one in my mind. I do not work with sketches or drawings. I just "sculpt it out".
I find inspiration in everything.
But in general, I read a lot and try to be exposed to many different fields of knowledge that interest me. I constantly consume art and hope this enriches my conceptual thinking and helps me create interesting accurate art.
What is the backstory of your art? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?
My works deal with emotional states and relationships, mainly focusing on the human body, working in a realistic style.
To be specific, my way of thought is layered; I do not see the world in black or white, but rather as countless shades of layers that build a very complex reality. the world is composed of many interrelated factors that influence and derive from each other. When I sculpt, I find it completely natural that there is a threatening and wild layer in the "Grave Watchers’ Childhood" sculpture while with it, at the same time, there is a sweet and heart-captivating layer; that "My Artemis" has layers of liberation, seduction and ecstatic joy alongside castration and obsessive control; and that the "Tattooed Babies" cause a sense of deep serenity alongside an uncomfortable feeling when realizing that an invasive, violent act was done to them without being aware or understanding. This is the reality, in my opinion. Life is complex. People are complex. Nothing is one-dimensional or simple.
What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?
I work in series, examining and testing concepts that evolve and change slowly from sculpture to sculpture. I really enjoy this precise inquiry. But despite the impression of a slow examining process, the reality is quite different. My studio is a madly intensive work environment. I work on several series at once, and my studio has dozens of works-in-progress at any given moment. In general, I make an effort to always have works-in-progress, making it easier to start the next working day. In no circumstance do I walk into the studio and think: “What will I do today?” There are always works to finish and while working on them, new beginnings come up.
Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?
I love to work with clay.
Clay is an amazing material that enables me, as an artist, to create whatever comes to mind, with minimal limitations and in the convenience of my personal studio, working on my own.
What does ART, in general, mean to you?
Good Art, in my opinion, makes people feel. It doesn’t matter if the art makes them enthusiastic or appalled, the only thing that matters is that they won’t be indifferent to it.
I hope their reaction causes them to think about my work and the ideas behind it.
Ronit Baranga's captivating art raises many opinions which all assemble into one: amazing! While you are looking at her art you can feel many emotions and some of them will make you feel uncomfortable, but one this is for sure: you are in love with every single detail you can find on her sculptures.
The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank her for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.