Chloe Watts
Expressive illustrations from the Manchester School of Art student, who draws and creates as an outlet for her feelings
Chloe Watt’s richly crafted illustrations are splashed with vibrant colour and elevated by the patterns she draws. Her illustrations are an expressive display of her feelings and it acts as a rather cathartic release.
These zippy illustrations, come from a place of many emotions and deeply-rooted feelings that Chloe allows herself to express through art. Creativity, as an expressive act resonates with many people and Chloe, uses this to underpin her practice. Chloe opens up about her struggles with mental health and how that’s been a matter she often addresses within her work. She tells us “because of this, my illustration has evolved into more than just a practice – it has become a therapeutic means of expressing myself”. The word ‘practice’ couldn’t be truer of it’s meaning here, especially when it’s used and applied for self-development.
Like many students, Chloe returned home during the middle of her last term before the summer break, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She explains this put her practice to the test, as she had to work more independently and be more attuned to her mental state. Despite being faced with more mental challenges, Chloe used this time to channel those feelings into her work. “I really managed to vent my feelings, and produce a very autobiographical and meaningful body of work”, Chloe discloses.
Thinking about the near and further future, and where her illustrations have a place, Chloe has a number of areas she wishes to progress with. Chloe tells us, “I would love to one day create a mural somewhere, so if anyone has a spare wall going…”, she continues, “I also have a few animations in mind, however, due to university being shut I don’t have access to a scanner so need to find a solution. I am also planning on using the summer to set up an online shop where I can sell my work and prints”. Other projects Chloe is keen to pursue have a strong social focus: “On a more serious note, I have a lot of pieces in mind for fundraising, I am particularly keen to raise money for The Pip Foundation, a foundation set up to memorialise the life of Pippa Mcmanus who sadly lost her battle with anorexia”.
Chloe grew up in Warrington but, is currently based in Manchester as she studies on the illustration with animation course at Manchester School of Art, where she has recently completed her first year. “My work is still developing as I progress through my degree, but the one thing that stays consistent is my aim to communicate”, Chloe explains. Still relatively at the being of her studies, Chloe has already built an exciting body of work that will no less continue to grow as she explores more during her studies. With this only the beginning, we’re looking forward to seeing how her illustrations will continue to shape up.
