She has painted commissioned portraits of some the most influential personalities in the world including HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, Princess Stephanie of Monaco, members of the Brunei Royal family, the Saudi Royal family, Gordon Ramsey and quite recently, Eva Longoria Parker of the Desperate Housewives fame. Una’s zealous involvement with many high profile charitable events has enabled her to raise over AED 400,000 for different humanitarian causes all across the globe. She took time out of her busy schedule and sat down with Kulsoom Zakir for a chat about her greatest passion in life.
Tempo: You majored in finance from Westminster University in 1997, what lead to you to choose a career as an artist?
Una St. Tropez: Actually it was a matter of listening to my heart and what I truly wanted to do in life. As with any major decision, like studies; choosing careers; or deciding whether to launch a businesses venture or not – I believe it is best to stay true to yourself and your desires. I only take the path which is essential to maintaining the essence of my being. And art is what I chose (smiles).
T: How did you make the initial transition from a secure 9 to 5 job to a striving artist who was trying to make her mark in the art world?
U: I always connected to art even with when I working in finance. To me nothing was as fulfilling and rewarding as creating your own artwork. It is a big step to leave a secure line of work and more so because people are not aware of the changes they will need to make for it to work. Regardless, I gave it my all and even though my decision was very spontaneous, it paid off.
T: Were your family and friends supportive of your choice to shift careers?
U: Yes they all were very supportive of my choice and I am lucky to be surrounded by such helpful people. There is a special someone I’d like to mention here. His name is Richard. Infact I even mention him on each Certificate of Authentication that is issued with my artwork because he has been my constant companion and friend for 10 years now. He, along with my brother, support me in all that I do.
T: Tell us a little about your trip to Abu Dhabi. How do you find this city?
U: Abu Dhabi to me is a love story. I fell in love with it the moment I set eyes on it and as I experienced this city and worked with its people, I was confirmed of my love for it! It is such a lovely combination of contrasts; hot days and cold nights; natural beauty and man-made marvels. I love the natural grace of women and the ethnic pride in men. Overwhelmed as I was, I still needed to find elements which I could work with to form art which would portray the city’s spirit. I am grateful to have worked with Salwa Zeidan Gallery for if it weren’t for my visit to their premises, I would never have glanced upon the picture of a man with such a radiant smile and kind eyes that I was captivated by it. The picture was that of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and I wished to paint him. Everyone spoke very highly of him. Later on I had the pleasure of meeting him in person. It is essential that I meet the people I paint because it is the sentiment that I feel when I am with them which translates onto the canvas. That is how I find expression. I have to live it to tell the story through my craft.
Of course there is another painting which I will always hold close to my heart. The one – as you might say – I was commissioned to make. I don’t like using the word commissioned. It detaches me from the spiritual aspect of my work. Anyways, I was given the honour to paint a portrait of the Late H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. While painting him, I saw leadership within his features. His eyes were very communicative of the determination and vision he had for UAE. I learnt about his life and his compassion for his people and I must confess that I am very attached to his portrait. The experience of making it was indeed a memorable one, which is why I keep telling people that I have left my heart in Abu Dhabi within his portrait.
T: Una tell us about your gallery and the kind of artwork you prefer to showcase in it.
U: My gallery is located in Saint Tropez in south-eastern France. I work with 4 other international art galleries which showcase my collections or commission artworks for me to produce. Creating artwork to be showcased in these galleries is a much more exciting and intimate process for me. I have realized that I live my life through art. While making it, I withdraw into a separate world of creativity and when I put up these pieces on display, in a way, I feel that I am inviting people to explore my world through my eyes.
T: How does it feel to be a preferred artist of many influential and elite personalities all around the world?
U: I am touched by their regard for my work and I am also very honoured to meet people who have made their mark in the world. To tell you the truth though, I don’t feel that they are so different than the people we meet everyday. Each person is unique in their own way, famous or not.
T: Which was the most difficult piece for you to complete and why?
U: My parents passed away when I was very young. Losing them this early in life made it very emotional for me to paint a portrait of them.
T: Has someone ever asked you to re-do their portrait and make them look better?
U: This happens quite often I am afraid. For the collection pieces I can choose to paint subjects as I wish. However, the private orders are another story. I have to function as a make-up artist and cosmetic surgeon for some pieces. They are commissioned, so I must paint them as people wish. For instance, recently I had to paint a plump lady and she was not satisfied when I painted her as she was. I had to make her slimmer and she said she needed a Barbie doll face, so I re-worked the portrait till she looked like a perfect doll. I feel it is important to paint people as they see themselves. I understand that it can be contrary to reality at times but I am just the means to making good art so I don’t interfere with their perceptions.
T: How long does it take for you to complete a life-size portrait? How big do your paintings usually go?
U: The bigger the better if you ask me! I have completed artwork which was 3.5 metres in length. Private portraits vary from all sizes, big and small. It usually takes me a month to paint private portraits as I need the time to get to know the person whose personality my painting will capture. For a collection, it can take longer for me to finish. Even a year because I am so involved with the process of creation. Each collection houses a world inside it, my world.
T: Is it tough to part away with something like that, something you’ve spent so much time and energy on? Which piece was, by far, the toughest to part away with?
U: Making art is a divine process to me. It is tough to detach with it but I am happy to do it for a good cause. You see, my artwork is my greatest joy and my greatest fury combined. I am in the habit of isolating myself when I work, so I experience the heartbreak and the agony of parting with something that had been associated with my lonely world for so long. I never say that I love one particular piece of my work because it just makes it all the more tougher to part with it when the time comes. The portrait of Late Sheikh Zayed though is one piece I did fall in love with. Normally, when I travel I carry my art materials with me – brushes, canvas etc. They inspire me, keep me rooted to my work, and anchor me to this world. When I left I Abu Dhabi, I left them here so that one day I shall go back for them.
T: You have been involved with any humanitarian causes across the globe; tell us about why these causes are so close to your heart?
U: I feel that if my paintings can assist a child in relieving some of his pain or bring hope into someone’s life then it is a worthy cause to support. I have been involved with many projects where we try to fulfill the dying wish of terminally ill patients including kids with life-threatening diseases. If I can help make the transition better then why not contribute?We have worked with MSF and have contributed to various causes from Vienna to Lebanon.
T: What is your message to all the young striving artists out there?
U: Do not be misled by circumstances. Be true to yourself. You will receive opposition but be guided by God’s light. Do not give in to temptation and frustration. There is immense pleasure in art.
Also, before this interview ends, I would like to thank Salwa Zeidan Gallery for providing me the opportunity to experience Abu Dhabi and connect with its spirit. Thank you to all.
