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The Newcastle-based alt-pop artist talks about some of her influences with a six of the best
Photo by Saint Sophie
Ahead of the release, Nadedja tells us about her influences with a six of the best…
It’s very special to think about the process in which we, as humans, collect little moments of transformation through art, and how artists create not only art, but future artists. It’s kind of magical. Here are my current Six Of The Best.
Art – Camille Claudel
Back in my Architecture & Design student days in Brazil, I was introduced to the remarkable work of French sculptor Camille Claudel. Known for her intense, dynamic, fluid and emotional sculptures, Camille’s story is as deep, raw and important as every piece she left behind. Something about ‘The Waltz,’ and the congruence between the movement and the stillness of the amorous embrace she captured in these figures, is spellbinding to me. However, something about the years she spent dedicated to supporting the work of her lover, Rodin, to not be recognised for her art like he was, deeply transformed me. Admiring and sharing the work of women that resist hidden behind the work of men will always be something I’m passionate about, and it’s so easy to be passionate about Camille.
Film – Amélie
When it comes to films, they hold a very crucial and comforting space in my heart. I’m the kind of girl that needs my favourite films on a weekly basis, so choosing this was not hard at all. Amélie has been a special place I go, whenever the world gets a bit much and I need to be reminded that life is only joyful with a little dosage of courage to both succeed and fail. Much like Amélie Poulain, who choses to orchestrate the lives of people around her for the better without ever allowing herself to live her own, I can get a bit too lost in my own imagination and comfort zone. But life happens when we’re closer to the chaos, and this beautiful, heartwarming story reminds me of that.
Literature – Ailton Krenak
Ailton Krenak is a Brazilian Indigenous writer and philosopher I’m a big admirer of. Since I started reading his books, something shifted inside and completely changed the way I view both the world and what it means to experience life on Earth. Krenak challenges the Western views of what humanity and progress are, and heavily criticises a world where humans are not interconnected or connected with all living things. Personally, Krenak made me realise how much of what I used to believe were my own desires and goals, were actually a societal Western construction of what success and progress should look like, away from all my natural ancestral beliefs. Coming from a Brazilian Indigenous heritage, his work definitely speaks to my heart in a fundamental way.
Music – El Mal Querer by Rosalía
This record sparked my love and obsession for conceptual albums. From music, to production, to visuals and storytelling, El Mal Querer is a masterpiece and a direct product of Rosalía’s true craftsmanship when it comes to her art. Inspired by the 13th-century Occitan novel “Le Roman de Flamenca”, the album mixes her flamenco roots with her future-facing pop experimentalism and solidified her as one of the most promising contemporary artists. In more than one way, Rosalía influences my approach to music and identity, and mostly, she makes me so excited about the future of music!
Life – Embodied Yoga
As someone who has lived with GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder) her entire life, Yoga has become the synonym of solace. More specifically, Embodied Yoga has revolutionised my ability to emotionally self-regulate and find stillness again. What defines this practice is the smaller focus on the external poses, and bigger attention towards the personal experience of the body, to deepen the connection to the physical and emotional self. The first time I tried it, it felt so unnatural to let my body guide where the next movement should go, but time meant that the practice became second nature, and now I’m more trusting of myself.
Instagram Page – Little Blue Dood
I swear Little Blue Dood’s creator can read my mind, life and future! Naturally, I bet everyone else probably thinks the same. In this very funny and relatable Instagram page, a little blue doodle character shares the most hilarious insights on pop culture, relationships, anxiety and the best silly human behaviours, I can’t help but scroll endlessly. It’s fun, it’s cute, it’s silly, and I shamelessly relate to almost every single thing on that page.
