At The Collage Collective, we believe that every artist has a story, and every story deserves to be celebrated. That’s why we’re so excited to launch our brand-new online series. It’s a heartfelt journey exploring the world of collage art told through word-based interviews.
Samantha Frost is the artist behind Banksia Fairy. She grew up surrounded by nature on the beautiful Dunghitti land on the mid-North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Frost currently works and lives on Darkinjung Country on the Central Coast of NSW. This is where she shares her home art studio with her partner and four cats. All of her artworks are analogue collages; they are hand-cut and glued using mostly vintage and found materials. Since 2019, collage has been her main medium. Frost is inspired by dreams, flowers, nature, magic and surrealism. As a queer artist, her identity heavily influences aspects of her work.
Read the original interview on Instagram below!
The Collage Collective: How did you get into collage?
SF: I’ve always been into collaging in various forms, but I got really into it at the end of 2019/start of 2020. I had moved back to my hometown and was on a huge personal journey with my sexuality, and then the pandemic began – collage became my saving grace. I became obsessed with hunting for secondhand books and magazines and spent hours every day collaging and listening to true crime podcasts. It really took over my life (in a good way!).
The Collage Collective: What are your tips for those making collages?
SF: To just have fun and experiment! The beauty of collage is that it is so experimental; there are so many ways to transform images. I try not to be too precious about my materials either; just use them! Glue them down! Use imagery and materials you love and don’t follow trends, so you can really find and develop your own style. Op shops/thrift stores are your best friend for sourcing material! All of my imagery is sourced from my collection of second hand books and magazines.
The Collage Collective: Who is your inspiration when making art?
SF: An artist who really inspired me to start collaging was artist Beth Hoeckel, back in 2012, I was absolutely obsessed with her work. I was also super into Rookie mag at the time, and they were always publishing different collage art, namely work by Minna Gilligan, whose mixed-media collage work is amazing and still inspires me to this day. My partner Ebony Eden is a fine artist who also just happens to be one of my favourite painters!
The Collage Collective: What advice would you give Little Sammy going into collage?
SF: To not overthink it! Practice is key and it’s okay if you mess things up and make things you don’t like. It’s all a part of the journey and should be fun! Don’t compare your art to other artists, work with what you have and experiment with different materials and mediums. Don’t get caught up making art that you think other people will like – just make what you want.
The Collage Collective: Why do you love collage art?
SF: I love collage – especially analogue collage – because it is so tactile. The act of cutting out paper is so therapeutic, and it’s so satisfying when you find images that work seamlessly with other images; it’s like magic.