Ian

Ian de Souza

In my paintings, subject and style are influenced by where I am in the moment. My life journey has brought me from West Malaysia, to living through Japanese occupation and British colonial rule in Singapore; As a younger man I travelled the world as a professional singer for many years before settling in Fremantle Western Australia to focus on my arts practice that spans over 35 years. 

As exhibitor and arts educator, it allows me to utilize all my senses. My love of music, dance, cooking, feeds my creativity  – to me it’s all the same process as painting and I aim to impart that ethos to my students: to fully embrace and enjoy the process and to not focus on the end result.

As I mature as an artist I find myself returning to my Eastern heritage for inspiration. Traditions of dance, music, mark making and the seminal philosophic and spiritual writings of Joseph Campbell have the biggest influences on my work these days.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have my art represented in corporate, private and government collections around the world, and when I’m not working on a commission, I teach:  How to tap in to the artistic side of one’s brain, how to intuit a painting, how to create freely and without reserve and most importantly how to incorporate these points into everyday life. All of the above are principles echoed in Riverheart's retreats, and I'm looking forward to bringing them to light by collaborating with Samm, my friend and former student.

What informs my work is an ongoing curiosity for what it means to be creative. It keeps me inspired and gives me a zest for life.  An article that encapsulates some of this can be found at http://www.iandesouza.com.au/press/ids_monty_06.pdf, with more information at www.iandesouza.com.au.


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