Musings with Charlotte J Ward
Self expression
a Collaboration with Charlotte j ward
Charlotte J Ward is a French artist leading a nomadic lifestyle, exploring through self-portraiture very intimate, yet universal topics such as womanhood and the mysticism of rituals. Her practice usually focuses around the connection between the human form and nature, which she plans to develop further in her new project ‘One Woman Shoot’ (launching in 2021).
Where’s home for you?
Home is where my altar is. I’ve been on the move for the past few years, and one thing that I have learnt throughout this time is how to make an altar wherever I find myself. It helps me to ground in the midst of so much movement. It’s like building my own little home wherever I find myself. A sacred place to sit, to pray and meditate, and to connect to the home within, wherever I am. However, for the past few months of lockdowns, home has also been in the beautiful Dordogne region of south-west France.
Can you describe what led you to taking photographs?
My love for the infinite possibilities held within natural light, combined with a fascination and curiosity of the world around me, and an admiration for my late grandfather Michael Ward, who was also a photographer.
What sort of things do you find inspiring? Where do you find them?
What most inspires me is nature, and most of the time, if I’m lucky, I find her all around me.
Charlotte’s self-portrait wearing the KIRUTO sweater in Lavender and the NAIFU pants in Chalk.
Charlotte’s self-portrait wearing the SHOJI pants in Curry.
Do you listen to music when you work? A favourite song or artist?
Yes definitely! At the moment it’s mostly Brazilian sounds… Cartola, Milton Nascimento, Maria Bethânia… to name but a few of my favourite artists. I think my favourite song of the moment is ‘Você é Linda’ by Caetano Veloso.
A book currently on your nightstand?
‘Love Poems from God’ by Daniel Landinsky. A beautiful collection of poems written by twelve mystics from the East and the West. I’ve had it on my nightstand for the past few months, and most nights, I will open a page at random and read a poem (or several) before going to sleep. Here’s one I read recently, which I loved, written by 16th century Indian woman mystic Mirabai:
“So fragile this petal the Earth,
As fragile as
love.”
As a creative who expresses herself and lives through art, how can you contribute to our planet’s reconstruction?
My art and movement practices are all about reconnecting with the EARTH BODY - a term which has become the title of my main body of work, and which encompasses both of those practices and research. I hope that through these creations I can inspire viewers & movers who might not already have an intimate connection with the Earth, to give it a try. To take more time to be with Her, to be held by Her, to listen to Her, and to develop their own relationship with the Earth, which inevitably leads to a deeper sense of respect and reverence.
On a more practical level, I would love to get my hands in the Earth and start planting, and generally get more involved in the regeneration of this beautiful home. Definitely a plan for the near future. In the meantime, I’ve been taking part in auctions and print sales to raise awareness and funds for environmental organisations such as Clean Air Task Force or Tree Sisters.
Is body movement influential in your work?
Yes body movement is hugely influential in my work and my research. I recently completed a Yoga and Somatic teacher training which has greatly enriched my artistic practice and deepened my experience of the body. Currently my main body of work is all about exploring movement and body postures within the EARTH BODY.
Do you have any ritual that can transform your mood in an instant?
Playing a super happy song at a high volume and dancing all around the room. My ‘go to’ for this little ritual at the moment is ‘Senhora Dona da Casa’ by Jorge Ben Jor.
What’s your typical day? What rituals do you follow to relax and disconnect?
A typical day for me at the moment is filled with Yoga, warm cacao, prehistoric cave explorations, forest walks, photo shoots, cooking, and work from home by the fire place. My rituals to relax and disconnect (or rather to connect back to what matters) are meditation, movement and being in nature.
Charlotte’s self-portrait wearing the RANPU headpiece and the SHOJI pants in Ink.
How would you describe RUS in three words?
Comfortable, relaxed, soft.
What’s your favourite season to get dressed?
Summer is definitely my first choice, I always feel more inspired getting dressed during this time of year, and the more skin is in direct contact with the Sun rays the better. But equally, I love arriving into Autumn and then Winter, where you can get all your layers out, and play around with them.
What’s next for you in the following months?
Who knows in this day in age! But my intentions are to keep spending as much time in nature as I can, to keep photographing, practicing and teaching Yoga, to develop my business project called ‘One Woman Shoot’ (@one.woman.shoot), which I will be birthing into the world early next year; and eventually to go back to Brazil, where I left a little piece of my Heart.
Charlotte’s self-portrait blending in wearing the MAKURA sweater in Ice.