Interview: Alexandra Gould
Alexandra Gould is an artist whose work blends creativity with meticulous observation. Based in the U.K. Alexandra excels in turning her detailed insights and stories into stunning visual art. Alexandra’s commitment to innovation and collaboration shines through in every project, including her notable role as the Expedition Artist on the Five Deeps Expedition alongside figures like Dr. Alan Jamieson and Victor Vescovo. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for new ideas, Alexandra brings a unique perspective to the art world, transforming their experiences and inspirations into compelling creations.
Tell us a little bit about yourself, your name and what do you do?
I’m Alexandra Gould a portrait artist and Expedition artist and I create bold figurative portraits of people and their stories. I live and work in the South West of England near the City of Bath and I really enjoy learning.
Above & Within, 2019
My portraits reflect my observations and relationships, or reflect my response to the context. Painting is an emotional creative process that draws on conversations and it’s developed from experiences and photography. I also rely very heavily on my wider thoughts and ideas about all the interconnected aspects of planet earth and civilizations. I find that reading, watching film, and thinking through ideas creates an interconnected philosophical perspective that is pivotal to creating a painting.
What drew you to the intersection of art and science, particularly in your ocean-themed art?
The link between science and art is very logical to me, much more logical than only thinking with one perspective. Just as people have multiple roles in society I think it’s great to be able to be agile in our thoughts and enjoy science and art, engineering and technology.
Perhaps traditional schools of thought have excluded those who don’t know enough of the subject or think conventionally but great leaps and discoveries are often made when disciplines collide and combine. My advice (if asked for) to any artist is to follow your curiosity. As artists we often say we are passionate but it’s ok to just be curious and intrigued and still create awesome art and kick start interesting debate.
Warning, 2018
Seen, 2021
How did you become involved in the 5 Deeps Expedition and what was that experience like?
I was appointed the expedition artist for the Five Deeps, Victor Vescovo’s first manned expedition to the deepest point in each of the five oceans. With the DSSV 'Pressure Drop' I traveled to the South Pacific for dives into Horizon Deep and 80° north, for Arctic dives into the Molloy Hole.
Caught Gliding in the Dark, 2020
It was Professor Alan Jamieson that put me forward for the role having previously given me access to Deep Sea imagery for my paintings of an Abyssal Grenadier and for the portrait of Alan himself. The unusual decision of the Five Deeps Expedition Team to appoint an expedition artist gave me the unique opportunity to observe all aspects of the expedition, creating inspiration for multiple artworks. The art, which ranges from sketches and prints to paintings and photography, strives to capture the people who ventured into the cold extreme depths, as well as deep marine ecology, revolutionary technology and the human experience of such a unique and dynamic challenge.
Portraits of deep-sea life have movement and contrast, the subjects and science interpreted through art for a more intimate engagement. Using art to disseminate ideas and values, it aims to make meaningful connections with other curious minds to inspire understanding and change.
What type of art came out of being a part of the 5 Deeps Expedition? Your art might spark curiosity in viewers about both art and the ocean. How do you hope your audience engages with your work?
Validation, 2020
The Five Deeps artworks strive to explore the deepest reaches of our oceans, the people who venture there and the stories they create. At sea all roles are vital and it is evident the core crew extends to everyone except guests. Critical roles include the Captain, bosun, porters, engineers, crew and chefs and expedition leaders.
For speed I utilised printmaking, crafting portraits cut and block printed from lino to reflect the individuals aboard. Like characters from a graphic novel they reveal a vigour and sense of epic. I found the prints capture the energy and enthusiasm, keeping pace with the expedition’s speed and dynamism.
The most prolific imagery on an expedition like the Five Deeps is of columns of water and sea bed or trench walls. There is so much environment and it takes an experienced patient eye to locate the identifiable lifeforms. As the deepest marine wildlife is discovered, researched and revealed by scientists the imagery needs to help classify the lifeforms however images captured by deep sea cameras are pretty sterile. In my opinion they are just the first stage of communication with a broader audience and the imagery needs to evolve with names, stories and other imagery to help create connections and interest. It’s only by naming and recognition that people are driven to care and protect.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are interested in incorporating scientific themes into their work, particularly related to the ocean?
Artists that want to work with the ocean should just start their journey, it could be creating art or just watching films and thinking about their responses. If you are curious, follow the breadcrumbs and don’t be afraid to ask a question, send an email, or start a conversation whether that is with a scientist, open day event, engineer. Everyone is time-poor but most people welcome the opportunity to share a thought.
At the surface
If you could be any ocean creature, what would you be and why?
As a deeply pragmatic and realistic woman I can’t and wouldn’t want to imagine myself as anything other than human but my animal portraits are basically humanising creatures with a human empathy that might allow viewers to connect with their predicament.
While I can’t chose any creature I’d be in the ocean I do have the highest respect for the Cephalopods and I simply don’t understand how people continue to eat Calamari and Octopus. It’s in reading books like Other Minds by Peter Godfrey-Smith and Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery that expands our understanding and humbles us. We are not the most intelligent creatures on earth we are simply the most successful species and we succeed because, like fungi, we are parasitic - only capable of surviving and generating energy from other lifeforms. Humans are incredible but our innate drive for growth and power must be tempered with kindness, respect, and intelligent retreat from overwhelming the planet as a whole.
I’m hopeful for a future that is less dominating but more harmonious and smarter - we have great creative intelligence that is capable of a smarter existence.