The Role of Art in Emotional Expression: An Interview with April Written by Imogen Sullivan (June 2025) The Glasgow School of Art library is where I was lucky enough to bump into my now close friend and as I describe ‘artistic romance’ partner, April Lannigan. Our friendship followed her kind donation of leather which would help the completion of my masters degree collection. Not only was her warm heart potent on arrival into my life, but also her obvious devotion to all things arty. Within this interview, I question the artist on the role of art in emotional expression within her life. April works within the realms of contemporary art, although notices how this encompasses a tasty cocktail of multiple ingredients. Experimenting with different scales of emotive oil painting isn’t April’s only medium of art, she is also a sculptor, fashion focused, studio dweller and proud coffee connoisseur. Over the past eight years April has morphed into the artist she excels at being today. Describing the fight of artistic freelance as ‘Getting a studio and fending for myself in the big bad world of art, meeting great friends en route, who are driven by the same passion and creative energy as me.’ You can follow the behind the scenes of April’s studio life and latest work on Instagram @___april____ or visit www.aprill.com. Better yet, visit various group exhibitions throughout the year, across Scotland. From grassroots shows to more national opportunities. Or alternatively- message her for a coffee at her studio in Glasgow town and you can view her work yourself! So, I asked April when she fell for the idea of a creative career pursuit. ‘If you do a job that you love and is fulfilling your own unique skill set, you won’t work a day in your life. I have worked in both the retail and hospitality industry for many years throughout the duration of my studies at The Glasgow School of Art. Those types of jobs are hard graft, tiring and often repetitive. I have nothing but admiration for those who make it work for them, it takes all kinds of kinds! For me, it was like taking a goldfish out of its tank and telling it to sell local punters cigarettes at the kiosk- I just wanted to swim around happily and chat art! And that is what I do…I work several roles at The Glasgow School of Art whilst managing my own creative business. It is the perfect concoction of work.’ It seems that part of being a working artist has to be rejecting the ordinary clockwork career cage. However, as an emerging creative, it’s normally necessary to accept the duality of personas, working full time dressed all smart by day, then creatively letting loose out of hours. Knowing April personally, I’m well aware of her broad love of the arts, I ask just how many creative outlets she recognises she has. ‘I am definitely an odd mixture of an extremely specialist yet multidisciplinary artist. I am very confident in the contextual underpinnings of my work, allowing these to manifest through many channels like installation art, fashion, occasionally woodworking. I am very headstrong on painting at present, generating a vast amount of work in the studio, yet I am part of a public environmental art sculpture park team. There is never just one fire burning with me- I have been making scarves this week by dyeing fabric in ink.’ Listening to April express these different inspired avenues excites me for her future. There is an appealing unpredictability with April’s current large-scale oil paintings, but also with what she’ll do next within her career. Due to the weave and weft of career and life for creatives, recognising that art isn’t only a direct line for financial profit, but also mental clarity. I asked April how creativity helps her process reality to tap into her mind a bit more. ‘Firstly, I am an extremely active person, on a practical level, I love art making for the sole fact I can walk around. It’s not your typical office environment, nor am I trapped at a desk. I am very gestural in the way that I work, often to a much larger scale than my own body. Art making is therapeutic, a release of energy, momentum. Some people go to the gym, they run, swim- I paint,..and let me tell you, it is tiring! The nature of my work, which regards the transient nature of landscape, helps to channel contemporary cultural dialogues. It’s the possibility of creativity that inspires me, the space to do something different or challenging in an unconventional way. If you do anything this week- do some painting!’ April’s dedication to her craft, willingness to explore multiple mediums, and passion for the artistic community make her a true force in contemporary art. April reminds us that art is more than just an aesthetic pursuit; it is an extension of self, a language of emotion, and a means of connection. So, as she says—if you do anything this week, pick up a brush and start painting. Who knows what you might express?