The Third Chapter : Interview with Vian Borchert (English ver.)

Every artist carries a belief that quietly sustains the work beyond what is immediately visible.

In this conversation, Vian Borchert reflects on the convictions that have shaped her practice over time—from hope, nature, and memory to the moments of hardship that deepened her understanding of what truly matters. Her answers reveal not only the philosophy behind her paintings, but also the inner landscape from which they emerge.

Beyond every finished work lies a longer story—one shaped by memory, conviction, quiet reflection, and the passing of time. The Core Message invites readers to encounter that unseen journey through the artist's own words.

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Q. Thank you for joining us today—it's wonderful to meet you. To begin our conversation, we are curious to know how you define your identity as an artist at this moment and what central theme most occupies your thoughts. 

A. I define my identity at this moment as an artist rooted in the belief that the world, at its core, is a good and hopeful place, and that through acts of kindness humanity finds its true flourishing. I see myself as a dreamer, one who continually looks toward the clouds, imagining expansive possibilities, whether the aspiration for world peace or the simple joy of a luminous sunny day filled with happy clouds and drifting skies. These moments of quiet optimism become translated into painted fields upon canvas. My artistic identity remains grounded in optimism, in meditation through the act of painting, and in creating a visual dialogue with the world, one shaped by a deep and enduring love for nature.

Q. This chapter is titled "The Core Message"; If you were to describe the "anchor" or the most fundamental intention that holds your practice together, what would it be? 

A. The anchor of the most fundamental intention that sustains my art practice is a faith and belief in good things to come. Moreover, my deep love for creating art remains the strongest intention and driving force behind my artistic practice. Thus, it is a combination of believing in a universe that is welcoming, warm, kind, and giving, while also holding a belief in oneself and in what I can offer to the world through my vision, talent, philosophical reflection, and artistic contribution.

Sea Memories

Q. Is there a specific piece among your works that you feel most clearly embodies this "message"? We would love to hear the story behind that work and why it holds such a special place in your heart. 

A. As an artist, my latest body of work feels the most engaging to me, as it reflects my core message both through my art and in its dialogue with the world. Several new paintings, such as “Sea Memories,” hold a particularly special place in my heart, as the work carries a sense of nostalgia and reveals a hidden, deeply personal layer connected to my identity. Rendered in an abstract style characteristic of my expressionist signature, the painting depicts a blue aqua sea beneath drifting clouds. The sea represents the Mediterranean by which I was born, evoking childhood memories and the vastness of its horizons. Though ever present, the sea remains both near and distant looming gently, enveloping me in its waves that seem to whisper stories of faraway lands to which I long to return.

Between Meadows and Sky

Morning Mist

Q. Sometimes, the most important messages are felt rather than seen. Is there a "whisper"; or a subtle atmosphere in your work that you hope the audience will sense, even if it’s hard to put into words? 

A. Yes, there are many whispers that my work carries and gently imbues. My art is not only intended to draw the viewer in through visual dialogue, narrative, and aesthetic presence; it is meant to be felt and truly experienced. Each piece exists not merely as an artwork, but as an immersive visual encounter, one that invites the viewer to step into the painting itself, into its messages and layered meanings. Through painterly pigments rich with symbolism, the work drifts the imagination toward a contemplative realm, awakening the soul and stirring the mind toward the vision of a better world.

Q. Artists often find themselves returning to a certain inquiry. What is the persistent question you find yourself asking through your art, regardless of how your style may change?

A. The persistent question I continually ask myself is how I may evolve as a person through the making of my art. While my style has remained consistent over the years: gestural, expressive, and abstracted, and my palette cohesive and largely blue-oriented, each new work carries within it a natural leap forward. With every act of creation, there is a quiet progression that propels me toward deeper self-discovery, guiding me closer to my inner self and the hidden core within my soul from which the art ultimately emerges and flows through me.

Mountain And Sea Waves

Q.  In an era of rapidly changing trends, how do you maintain your own pace and stay focused on the voice that matters most to you? 

A. It is true that tuning out the noise of the outside world can be difficult; yet for me, the essential key lies in looking inward rather than outward. I choose to live within my own mental landscape, perceiving the world through the lens of how I wish to experience it. Life feels too brief to be spent seeing it through others. Instead, I retreat inward, returning to my inner self and remaining focused on shaping the world as both an artist and creative individual of how I imagine it to be. Often, I find myself driving to a nearby lake, sitting quietly on a bench, reflecting on life and my interactions with the world while observing the shifting reflections of sunlight dancing across the ripples and waves before me. Water brings me a profound sense of calm; being near it restores balance, offering stillness, inner peace, and a gentle space for contemplation.

Q. Beyond the final result, what part of the "act of creating"; itself do you find most precious or aligned with your personal values?

A. Every painting that emerges from me remains aligned with my personal values, reflecting my identity, my personality, and the colors of my creative soul. What resonates most deeply with my values is the commitment to remain truthful to myself, to my art, and to the process of its creation. My intention is to convey an honest fragment of the world as I perceive it, and to deliver that truth sincerely through the act of making art.

Q. Looking back, was there a specific experience that shifted your focus from purely aesthetic concerns to a deeper message within your work? 

A. Yes, there have been profound traumas and pivotal dark moments in my life of a near-death experience of an illness of a loved one with the emotional weight of medical treatments, hospital visits, and somber diagnoses. Those very difficult life experiences compelled me to hold more closely to what is truly dear and meaningful, urging me to embrace the present moment for all that it offers and to live it fully. It is within the now that life truly unfolds; tomorrow is not guaranteed, and the past belongs behind us.

Reflective Clouds

Q. As your practice has evolved, how has your core message shifted or become more defined over time?

A. My core message has certainly evolved and become more defined over time, taking on an increasingly universal dimension. As I grow not only older but also more established within the art world, this message has crystallized into a call for collective awakening, an invitation for humanity to come together in unity, harmony, and a shared pursuit of peace. Our world is too beautiful to be burdened by war and destruction. It is, I believe, our shared human responsibility to live in a way that honors the pursuit of happiness and love, grounded in equality for all, and in deep alignment with Mother Nature and with one another.

Q. Thank you so much for sharing such thoughtful insights with us today. As we conclude our conversation, What kind of internal conversation do you hope a viewer has with themselves when they spend time with your work? What is the "echo"; you hope stays with them? 

A. My art is meant not only to be seen, but to be experienced - an invitation to immerse oneself in its layered depths. I hope the viewer encounters a sense of rejuvenation, a quiet hope, and a meaningful connection to the work, one that awakens within them subtle sentiments and deeper reflection. In this space, thought expands beyond the immediate, opening into a realm where creativity and art reign supreme, and where a more intuitive, contemplative connection to self and others can emerge.

Contact

Artist : Vian Borchert

Instagram : @vianborchert