Belinda Chlouber — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

May 4

May 4 Belinda Chlouber

Biography

Belinda Chlouber’s mixed media pieces reflect on humanity’s relationship to the natural world. She shows her work extensively throughout the United States, working passionately on raising awareness of the importance of addressing our climate crisis. Belinda became a Climate Reality Leader by participating in Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project. She also works to repair our relationship to other animals, raising awareness of abusive practices in animal agriculture and the impact of those practices on the climate and our health. Belinda employs her artwork as her voice in this struggle. She often reminds herself of what explorer Ernest Shackleton said, “Optimism is true moral courage.”

What first prompted you to think of becoming an artist?

My mother loved art, poetry and music. Even though we lived in rural areas, we went to see art when we travelled. My Dad is a passionate antique collector and we spent a great deal of time in antique stores when I was young. I think that early exposure and love for art and exploration laid the groundwork for my later passion. My high school art teacher, Mr Werbelow, encouraged and inspired me. He even suggested I join the debate team. I loved his art class and this experience really began my pursuit of art in a meaningful way.

What kind of an artist do you ultimately see yourself?

As an Eco-Activist Artist, always working to create a world we and other creatures are happy to live in.

What are you hoping to communicate to the viewer through your work?

I hope to communicate to the viewer both the incredible possibilities that exist for our future, as well as to articulate the existential threats that loom before us. I want to awaken people to the beauty of life—-and to reach people on an emotional and intuitive level. I think of art as a visual language. It’s a beautiful thing if an artist can speak to someone’s heart.

Can you explain the process of creating your work?

My research into climate issues inspires me as much as nature itself. For the last six years, I have been researching the climate crisis we are facing. I listen to a lot of books and try to see the bigger picture, to bear witness and not look away. By wading through the darkness of our current crisis, I seek a light that illuminates our better future. From there, I can visualize and compose imagery. Sometimes the images come to me whole, sometimes I have to work and rework a piece to find my inspiration. My process is very intuitive, like making a stew with familiar ingredients, but seeking a new taste. I use a lot of different media, having explored most art mediums during my career. So in a given piece, I will use whichever medium fits the message I want to communicate.

What is your favorite part of the creative process?

I seek that state of flow, so familiar to anyone that creates with regularity, hoping to tap into a higher realm.

Can you give us an insight into current projects and inspiration, or what we can look forward to from you in the near future?

I am currently researching plants, enjoying their varied imagery, while exploring their importance in mitigating the climate crisis. I hope to integrate all I have learned and researched previously and to use that knowledge to complement my current botanical explorations. The communications of plants fascinate me, suggesting an alternate realm to explore. I enjoy learning about all the quirky, unusual aspects of the plant life that surrounds us. Recently, I have also started looking into “bio artwork”, a growing trend in the art world that explores how artists can use biological processes to express ideas about the world.

Website www.belindachlouber.com

Instagram @bchlouber

Facebook @bchlouber