Interview with Joana Bail

How did you grow up? Did your childhood influence your art?
I was born in Togo to a Nigerian mother and a German father. In 2000, after my parents separated, I moved to Germany with my mother and younger brother. Feelings of being an outsider became a central part of my identity, and I draw heavily on my personal life and experiences in my art. This, along with the internal conflict between my own dreams and my family’s expectations, deeply shapes my perspective and influences my work.

What does the representation of the everyday mean to you about the female perspective?
Representing the everyday means capturing the quiet, often overlooked moments with so much emotional depth. These moments are not just ordinary; they are where we process our thoughts, emotions, and identities. By focusing on these intimate, reflective scenes, I aim to highlight strength and vulnerability from the perspective of an individual.

Who are the women in your pictures?
The individuals in my pictures are friends of mine who also live in Berlin. My goal was to capture fleeting moments where they appeared lost in thought, seemingly „absent,“ and immersed in their inner worlds.

Can you walk us through your creative process?
My process begins by photographing my friends in their homes—spaces where they can feel natural and unobserved. For each painting, I take around 500 photographs, capturing different moments of thought and emotion. From these, I carefully select the one image that best aligns with my artistic vision. I then translate that chosen moment into an oil painting, bringing its subtle emotions and atmosphere to life on canvas.

What specific dispatch do you aim to convey through your art?
Through my art, I aim to convey the beauty and depth of quiet, everyday moments. I focus on themes of self-reflection and the quiet strength of individuals as they process their thoughts in solitude. Ultimately, my goal is to create work that resonates with viewers on an emotional level, offering a sense of connection and introspection.

Why did you work on primed cotton canvases, and how does this medium influence your art?
They provide a smooth, durable surface that allows me to achieve the detail and texture I aim for in my oil paintings. The material holds pigment beautifully and supports the layering process, creating depth and richness.

How do you approach color in your work, and what influences your palette choice?
Color is essential in my work, not just for setting the tone but for communicating a balance between melancholy and positivity. While my paintings often capture introspective or reflective moments, I don’t want them to feel sad or dark. Instead, I use color to bring a sense of lightness and vibrancy to my work. I especially love using pink, which appears in at least one wall or element in every painting. It’s a color that adds warmth and cheerfulness, helping me to express subtle liveliness and optimism.

What does a typical day in your life as an artist look like?
My ideal day begins with a quiet morning, including journaling and planning my tasks for the day, before heading to the studio. The day would involve uninterrupted hours of painting, ending with a moment to step back and reflect on the progress I’ve made. Photography is also a key part of my process, so some days are dedicated to planning and capturing images. Beyond that, I enjoy engaging with other artists or visiting inspiring spaces, such as galleries or exhibitions, to recharge creatively.

How do you see the role of women in today’s art scene?
Women have an important presence in the art world, bringing a wide range of perspectives and stories to the table. Through my work, I hope to add to this ongoing dialogue with my experiences, focusing on themes of self-reflection, self-doubt, and everyday moments that resonate universally.

What projects are you currently working on, and when is your next exhibition scheduled?
2024 was an incredibly exciting year for me, marked by significant self-growth and my first major exhibitions. One of the highlights was participating at Berlin Art Week, where my work was viewed by over 300 visitors during a duo show, a truly inspiring experience. Currently, the last works of my second series, „You in Quiet Spaces,“ are on display in Hamburg until early 2025 as part of a group exhibition alongside renowned artists, which is another important milestone.

For 2025, I have a major project in the works, for which I plan to dedicate significant time to conceptual development, technical refinement, and creating new pieces. This next project will allow me to push my creative boundaries and explore new artistic directions.

Joana Bail – www.joanabail.com, www.instagram.com/joanabail_