Meet Nathalie Marti | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nathalie Marti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nathalie, why did you pursue a creative career?
My grandmother’s walls were filled with drawings I made. This is because I used to spend most of my childhood drawing, painting and making collages. I believe that some things are just meant to be. When you are talented at doing what you love, you can achieve anything, even if the path seems hard. My journey was meant for art although I didn’t know it until I had a life changing experience. During the covid period, I went to Florence, Italy to study painting. I initially planned to live there for a month but I quickly realized that I needed to extend my stay because I was happier than ever. I had finally found my purpose. I ended up staying there an entire year and this was the moment I knew it was meant to be, I had to pursue an art career. Nothing else made more sense.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Before dedicating myself to art, I was a lawyer in Switzerland. Throughout the years, I have come to realize that I have more facility expressing my feelings and opinions throughout my artworks than with my words. It might be the curse of the lawyer, but the blessing of the artist.

Since then, I have created a unique style that merges painting and sculpture. By adding a ceramic sculpture to the painting, it forces the spectator to imagine a movement, a story behind the image. This innovative technique also allowed me to bring dynamism, humor and twists to the images I depict. I like to recreate everyday scenes, to give importance to simple moments, because I believe that life is a series of insignificant events that should be celebrated.

Lately, I’ve been working on a series of ceramic “towers” that connect together a variety of different objects and animals in a fragile equilibrium. The fact that the objects have to hold together in a delicate balance is also a representation of our own fragile existence and relationships. I like to think of those sculptures as visual poems which enables me to tell stories and create universes where my imagination has no boundaries but the medium I am using.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend was visiting New York, I would definitely wander around Williamsburg and go for a slice of pizza at l’Industrie.
On a sunny day, I would really enjoy walking by the Piers close to the Brooklyn Bridge park and across the Brooklyn bridge by sunset. Since I love walking, I would also go on the High line, visit little Island and have dinner at Pastis in Chelsea. As the name of the restaurant calls for it, a glass of pastis is mandatory! On another day, I would go to the MET after walking in Central Park, trying to feed the squirrels, even if they don’t care. Lastly, I would spend a day at the MoMA and finish this itinerary in a Swiss restaurant called Le Lavaux. As a Cheese lover, I would definitely go for their amazing fondue as it is the best meal to softly end a trip.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank my first art teacher in Switzerland, Mr. Tomic. He taught his students how to draw but also how to enjoy doing it. When we would go to his desk for advice, he would give us watercolor flowers or caricatures he made in a matter of seconds. His skill and passion would show through his classes and it was very contagious. I was always looking forward those drawing classes and it was my favorite time of the week. This is why I am so thankful of having such a great introduction to art thanks to him. Luckily, I was able to meet Mr. Tomic again in his studio a few month ago. More than 20 years later, I could finally let him know how thankful I am. I was also very pleased to learn that he still teaches painting in his studio. When passion strikes you, it never leaves.

Website: https://www.nathaliemarti.com

Instagram: natmarti

Linkedin: Nathalie Marti

Image Credits
For the personal picture : Will Maddoxx