Artist Natasja Lefevre sees art not only as a form of expression, but also as a means to connect with our inner world. As an autodidact, her craftsmanship and artistic vision have been shaped by both personal and professional challenges. Her work explores and questions universal themes.
Background
Born in 1968 in Nieuwpoort, Belgium, Natasja always felt a strong urge to the world of imagination as a creative child. She often found the outside world too hard and therefore turned inward, discovering the richness of her fantasy. At school she was curious and eager to learn. As the child of independent entrepreneurs for whom hard work was paramount (‘creative professions were for lazy people’), she felt the expectation that she would choose a profession that would guarantee security and success. Fascinated by abstract concepts and the idea that everything consists of energy, she decided to study mathematics and chemistry.
Art as a mirror of the soul
Yet she did not find the fulfillment she was looking for in this scientific world. After two years of study and a few temporary jobs abroad, she became an apprentice stonemason. She restored monumental churches and buildings for five years. This profession gave her deep satisfaction, but took its toll on her body. When physical complaints forced Natasja to take a different path, she discovered her true calling through clay. Because of her stiff and painful joints, the occupational physician advised her to use clay to knead her hands supple again. What started as an exercise grew into her creative breakthrough. ‘My inner world finally took shape,’ she says, ‘clay turned out to be a means of communication to process what was going on inside me.’
Experimental approach
What is striking about Natasja’s work is her drive to experiment with materials and techniques. Her background in chemistry is reflected in her experimental approach to ceramics and iron. She developed her own clay formulas, adding flammable materials to better control the shrinkage of the clay during the firing process. Her creative approach is strongly intuitive, guided by the material. Iron and clay form the core of her sculptures, in which she brings her images to life with a graphic play of lines and shapes. Her art is technically impressive and at the same time deeply poetic: a reflection of her dual approach.
Meaning
Her work is fueled by universal themes such as transience, the balance between life and death (‘being here, not being here’), and the relationship between matter and its absence. In her series Le vide, for example, figures without faces play a central role. The emptiness in the place where we expect a face invites the viewer to place their own meaning in the image. ‘We need others to set facets of ourselves in motion’, she states. ‘Art does that all the time, and that is where the value of art lies. If someone is moved by a work of art, an opportunity arises to connect with the part that is touched.’
Art as a means of communication
For Natasja, art became not only a way to express herself, but also to connect with others. By sharing her images with gallery owners, clients and partners such as Business Art Service, she gained recognition as an artist, which gave her a sense of identity. However, she resists the elitist status that sometimes comes with the label ‘artist’. ‘I think art is treated in a far too elitist way. Art should not be claimed as the property of one person, it should be spread so that many people can enjoy it.’
Catalyst
Natasja Lefevre’s ceramic sculptures invite introspection and connection: with the artwork as well as with yourself and others. In a time when superficial interactions often prevail, her work offers a counterbalance. It reminds us of the essential goals in life, which are often hidden beneath the surface. Art helps to bring out the deeper layers in ourselves and serves as a catalyst for greater understanding and connection between employees in the workplace.
Recognition and insight
It is important to integrate those deeper layers in ourselves into daily life, and art helps us do that. Where one company opts for more accessible work, another chooses art that confronts and encourages dialogue, precisely because of the opportunity to strengthen the corporate culture and promote diversity and inclusivity. Natasja puts it beautifully: ‘Art, if it is good, moves or touches.’ By questioning things with your colleagues, making associations and being curious about each other’s thoughts, you get to know each other and a connection is created. The realization that everyone has their own opinion promotes understanding and acceptance. That is why art is so important according to Natasja: it helps us remember the essential goals in life and offers both recognition and insight. She explains: ‘The path to meaning goes inward; the greatest blindness of man is not seeing what really matters.’
Connect with art
Natasja’s vision of art as a tool for connection and self-reflection fits seamlessly with the mission of Business Art Service: enriching the office environment with art that not only inspires, but also connects. The choice of art says a lot about your company. Who are you as an organization and what do you stand for? It is essential that this identity is reflected in the art you choose. The more personal the choice of art, the more it can be an extension of your identity.