Renowned artist Linda Karshan joined Regent’s for the latest instalment of the Distinguished Speaker Series, offering a fascinating insight into the evolution of her artistic practice and her upcoming exhibition in Rome, From Studio to Palazzo.
Drawing on her background in psychology, Linda reflected on how her creative process is shaped by what she calls an ‘internal choreography’ - a rhythm of movement and intuition that underpins every mark she makes. Her drawings, she explained, are the result of a deep, embodied process: ‘every good drawing is a gift’.
From studio practice to live performance
Linda described her walked drawings - live pieces where her physical movement through space becomes part of the creative act. These works depend on an intimate relationship with the setting with ‘every drawing being as spontaneous as it is on paper’. For her upcoming Rome exhibition, Linda will bring together three disciplines, art, fashion, and interior design, as she performs a live drawing that responds to the architecture and energy of the palazzo. Listening is a key tool in these performances; she must attune to the rhythm of the space, her own footsteps, and the atmosphere around her to ensure she doesn’t miss a beat. Clothing, she explained, must move with the body, supporting rather than distracting from the act of drawing.
She further highlighted how vital it is for the physical space to feel right, reflecting, ‘it’s one thing being in my studio, but can a drawing make its way into the world?’
On process, rhythm, and intuition
Linda’s recent exhibition, Legacy and Visions, showcased works born from rhythm, repetition, and a commitment to what she calls ‘good enough’, a concept that embraces imperfection as part of the creative process. She remarked: ‘perfection is a dangerous thing, but ‘good enough’ is an artist who isn’t afraid to fail’.
Her works, though varied, maintain a deep consistency with each drawing catalogued not chronologically, but through personal experience, marked discreetly on the back of each piece. This dialogue between front and back, presence and process, connects her practice to Renaissance traditions while remaining profoundly personal.
Collaboration and connection
Looking ahead to her Rome exhibition, Linda shared how collaboration has been key to realising her vision. The project will not only connect visual art with fashion and design but also continue her exploration of how art inhabits space. As she put it, ‘art should be in conversation with the room it’s in, not a decoration’.
Throughout her talk, Linda reminded students that artistic success lies in discipline, trust, and physical engagement. ‘Your job is simply to get to the studio’, she said - encouraging consistency, courage, and creative faith. She also reflected that an artist’s role is to ‘maintain and sustain’ their practice, creating work with honesty and intention for an audience.