Tous Mag

Tous Mag interviewed the artist behind Borneo Studio - Andrea Mongenie - an Art and Print studio in North London. Balancing being a mother with sustaining her artistry, Andrea is a representation of hard-work, dedication and commitment.

Starting her process from small scale and making her way onto bigger pieces on wood or canvas, Mongenie’s designs will stop you in your tracks and allow you to take a second for reflection. We could all find a sense of calm admiring her abstract paintings, with muted colours offering a peaceful glance and soft blends, far from harsh lines and jagged edges, evoking a visual tranquility.

Giving solace to the information overload we intake daily, these dream-like paintings empower a chance to let go and run wild with your imagination. Benefitting from a mix of acrylic and gouache, you can almost trace each stoke Andrea has made; We adore a textured canvas and the layering of materials, building a three dimension through each mark that’s laid bare. It’s a yes from us, on all accounts.

Read the full interview with Andrea Mongenie, below!

Tous Mag: How did you learn to paint?

Andrea Mongenie: I learned alongside my mother growing up, she’s a painter, and then at art school. I remember I did this very formal fine art class at the Louvres in Paris every Saturday morning when I was a kid and still now I remember the techniques I learned, mixing paint etc. I studied fine art at uni and specialised in printed textiles. I paused making art for a while after uni and came back to it a couple of years ago. Interestingly, having a child of my own reignited my need to make and paint very strongly.

Tous Mag: We love that full circle connection between family enabling your expression. Are there any particular techniques or motifs that you use throughout your work?

Andrea Mongenie: I wouldn’t say I use any particular technique or motif. I use acrylics, or gouache - I like mixing my own colours. I enjoy experimenting with new techniques, experimentation is part of my process. At the moment I am experimenting with mixing paint and moulding paste.

Tous Mag: We’d love to see the results of the moulding paste, in the near future. Would you say your experimentation with colour is ever evolving, too?

Andrea Mongenie: My colour palettes are always very instinctive, depending on my mood. You can probably see from my Instagram, I go through colour phases.

Tous Mag: What sparks your creative inspiration, generally, and do you scout out inspiration from any fellow artists?

Andrea Mongenie: I am a big interiors and architecture fan and I think I get a lot of inspiration from both. I love the use of materials in interior design and architecture - I love a good layout - and the battle between 3d and 2d. Part of my background is in styling sets and props so lighting, textures and composition are at the centre of anything I do.

Any other artists that inspire me? So many! I’m often attracted to the work of artists with a textile or 3d aspect to their work like Lrnce, Rubeena Ratcliffe, Laurie Maun. I am very into more minimalist artists like Formworks and Kim Bartelt, as well. I love following Partnership Editions: Hester Finch’s colours and Isabella Cotier’s playfulness are always an inspiration. Lastly, I adore the work of Virginie Hucher, Caroline Denervaud, Anne-SophieTschiegg, Jan Sebastian Koch, Zahra Holm, Anna Mac, Tiffany Bouelle…the list is long!

Tous Mag: Where’s work for you, and what do you like most about spending time there?

Andrea Mongenie: My studio is based in North London. My favourite aspect of the studio is that it has a big window with lots of natural light that comes in and on a sunny day I get beautiful light reflecting on the walls.

Tous Mag: Are you part of any North London creative communities?

Andrea Mongenie: I am a bit of a lone wolf in my area, but not intentionally. I’d love to connect with more artists locally. There are some great galleries nearby and lots to see but I guess my art community is my friends, who are scattered all over and in various creative fields. There’s definitely a sense of community on Instagram, #Artistsupportpledge etc, and I hope it develops.

Tous Mag: What do you do to keep busy when you’re not in the studio?

Andrea Mongenie: If I’m not making art, you’ll probably find me making something else: cooking something new (Japanese food or Mediterranean food, mainly) or constructing some kind of cardboard/wood toy with my son, or planning some kind of new DIY project in the house. I’m also always plotting some kind of buying a wreck somewhere and renovating it scenario.

Tous Mag: Ah, the renovation dreaming, we’ve all been there! What would we find you listening to if we popped by?

Andrea Mongenie: At the moment Westerman! Sufjan Stevens until I die. Recently Frankie Cosmos, Big Thief and Christine and the Queens.

Tous Mag: What’s next for Borneo Studio, what should we look out for?

Andrea Mongenie: Right now I‘m working towards making larger scale works and starting to make my own frames. Also excited to be part of a potential group show with MAH (Modern Art Hire) after lockdown. Long term, I would love to set up workshops and get people painting.

Tous Mag: We’ll be registering for those workshops, stat! What makes you feel the biggest sense of achievement?

Andrea Mongenie: I am proud of myself for just doing it, painting everyday and believing in my work and being confident. It’s not alway easy being a woman, a mother and an artist. If I get someone telling me I have inspired them to start painting again, that makes me the most proud: inspiring people to create is great.

A visual tranquility