Harnessing Art for Healing

Painting has been Scarlet Raven’s lifelong avenue for self-understanding and acceptance, allowing her to navigate the complexities of the world. While studying at Central Saint Martins School of Art in London, she found herself drawn to the world of abstract art and the escapism painting allows. It was here that she created her first significant artwork - an all-white painting that served as a canvas for her innermost thoughts and feelings. Scarlett describes this painting as a manifestation of her raw emotions, a reflection of the turmoil and vulnerability she experienced during that time. Despite its simplicity, the painting was a powerful expression of her journey towards self-discovery and acceptance.

Now, with her latest collection Beyond The Surface, Scarlett feels as though she has come full circle. Combining her love for painting and her fascination with the escapism of nature, she channels the rawness and directness of abstract impressionism into a series of all-white artworks. In a departure from her vibrant canvases of the past, Scarlett’s latest artworks are stripped down to their raw essence.

With stylistic influences from Vincent Van Gogh, Anselm Kiefer, Gustav Klimt and David Hockney, Scarlett’s distinctive painting style involves applying acrylic paint directly from the tube in thick impasto layers, delving into the emotional and symbolic depths of art beyond mere optical realism. The symbolism of flowers – beauty, growth, and renewal – resonates deeply with her and allows her to express her admiration for the impressionist painters who came before her. Raven has honoured Van Gogh once again in her paintings of white irises, referencing the time he spent painting them in a psychiatric hospital in Saint-Rémy, France.

Going ‘Beyond The Surface’

After experiencing her fifth breakdown in December 2023, triggered by a social media hacker, Scarlett turned to her art, immersing herself in her studio as a way to anchor herself to the present moment. It was during this time that Scarlett received a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), shedding light on years of unspoken difficulties. Scarlett has always used painting as a form of therapy, a positive compulsion and an outlet for her intense focus and creativity. This newfound diagnosis has allowed her to understand herself more intimately, and she is now on a journey towards self-love.

Working with her canvases on the ground, Scarlett used her fingertips to build texture on the canvas. This tactile nature of creating her paintings brought her a sense of grounding, allowing her to find purpose and direction once again. While listening to soothing classical music, the white canvases took shape and Scarlett found a sense of tranquillity and respite as she began to enjoy the quieter moments within her mind.
Raven is committed to being open about her experience and believes that in sharing her journey she may help others. In our exclusive interview below, she talks candidly about the events that led up to her breakdown late last year and how this collection might have just saved her life.

BEYOND THE SURFACE EXHIBITION