Multi-medium artist Clym Evernden speaks to Aparajita Mukherjee on his collaboration with the Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar and how the project has brought a burst of creativity to the Middle East.
Creativity has no boundaries and even though Clym Evernden had a creative brief from Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar, in order to bring the project to fruition and to create the illustrations, Everndyn researched the wider Doha region and explored various districts and views, examining how the iconic skyline appears reflected in the water both day and night.
Talking us through the work he’s done for Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar, Evernden mentions, “Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar approached me to mark the launch and essentially provide an artist’s interpretation of key areas within the hotel and resort. They discovered my work on Instagram and were drawn to its adaptability to the hotel environment. They requested my focus on four specific areas: the apartments and residences, the Loulou Plage Beach Restaurant, the Le Deli Robuchon restaurant operated by a Michelin-starred chef, and finally, the overall ambience and setting of the hotel. So, my task encompassed these four main areas.”
Role of detailing
Evernden’s artworks are minute and delayed, with rich nuances and layers. Commenting on the role that detailing plays in his artworks, Evernden informs that he strives for a blend of seamless fluidity with carefully placed details. “It’s about finding the right balance. For this project, I aimed to capture the essence of each location with key landmarks and viewpoints while infusing a touch of whimsy and creativity. It’s about marrying realism with imaginative interpretation.”
For a multi-medium artist, staying within the confines of one art form is restrictive. Toggling effortlessly between illustrations, videos, Evernden’s creations are a maze and blend of different mediums. What method did he use to unify his art approach for this project?
Evernden says unequivocally, “It’s a bit of both, really. For me, it’s all about creativity, whether it’s a still artwork or a video. I started with four main still artworks for each area, then expanded on them to create videos. We decided to incorporate real items from the hotel into each video. For example, in the apartments and residences video, I used a key card they sent me, and you can see my hands at work. Making videos is always thrilling because everything comes to life – it’s like watching the artwork evolve.”
Creative input versus artist’s freedom
Artists are zealous about their space and freedom. And with this project, Evernden owns up to being “fortunate to have a brief but also significant creative freedom and trust. I appreciate the loose structure, which they provided, alongside creative freedom. The process was straightforward, without unnecessary complications”.
As an artist, how will this experience help Evernden in seeing the region and how does he think this exposure will help him evolve as an artist?
“Having global exposure is significant for an artist. While I’ve worked in areas such as the US and Europe before, it was crucial to have my art showcased in this region, especially since it’s entirely new territory for me. This marks my first venture into Doha, Qatar, and with novelty comes excitement. The fresh perspective encourages artistic growth by presenting new viewpoints and visuals to explore.”
Doha: an artistic hub
There are several museums and with sovereign funding, art and artists are at a premium here.
Would Evernden think of collaborating with local artists and learning from them?
Evernden is clear, and says, “Absolutely. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the abundance of museums and galleries in Doha, with a strong emphasis on supporting local artists. Transitioning from a fashion background, I found it fascinating to encounter renowned brands in Doha’s malls. What struck me most was the focus on local talent rather than solely on globally recognised artists. During my time at Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar, I had the opportunity to meet and participate in workshops with some local artists.”
Short Shots
Favourite artist: Eric Ravilious
Favourite art medium: Photography
Favourite art writer or critique: My friends, my sounding boards
Favourite city of art: Rome, Italy
Best advice you’ve received that has furthered your art: Make sure the art is true to yourself and something that you enjoy making. Doesn’t matter if you’re doing business from it or you are doing it for yourself as long as the creativity comes from you and gives you pleasure.
