Interview with Artist Eve De Haan on the Legacy of It’s Nicer to be Nice
It’s Nicer to be Nice by Eve De Haan, St John’s Church, Stratford, photography by Monika Szolle
The artwork has been shown in over five locations and is still touring. Can you tell us more about the original concept for It’s Nicer to be Nice? What legacy do you want to leave behind with the piece?
I feel so lucky to have been able to partner up with Hive Curates to make this dream installation come to life. The idea was to have a moveable structure that created a space which was able to facilitate contemplation around the subject of well-being and what well-being means to each of us as individuals rather than a collective. The installation can be moved from place to place which really makes it special because each time it moves the backdrop in which it sits differs, the light changes and so does the energy”.
Your work fuses joy, storytelling and light. Why is the combination of narrative and light so important to you?
I have found that light is uplifting, it is a great medium to convey a message and I love marrying text with light. For me is makes the sentiment of the message more moving and hopefully more impactful.
What do you want people to feel when seeing your work?
I hope that people will feel something, whether it be positive or negative I hope it sparks up intrigue within the viewer, to perhaps ask themselves, what they are doing to nurture their own well-being and if they could be doing more to ensure a balance within their lifestyles.
Photography by Natalie Gee
Why is it so special to have positioned your artwork directly in town centres alongside Hive Curates?
Showing art in a space that isn’t conventionally used for showing artwork is magical. I like the idea that anyone can create a space for art anywhere and everywhere.
Where might we discover it next?
I am so excited that the artwork will be in Stratford for two weeks and then moving further along the coast to somewhere exciting, watch this space!
The artwork will be exhibited at: St. John’s Churchyard, Broadway, E15 1NG until 4th June 2023. Click here for more information.
Photography by Natalie Gee