What inspired you to create works of art and to become an artist? (events, feelings, experiences...)
I am already an author of detective novels, a photographer and a creator of wooden postcards. The sculpture came during the first confinement; I wanted to make a gift to my wife and I made my first sculpture for the garden: a stylized Moaî from Easter Island, 1.30 high and 60 kg of steel.
What is your artistic background, the techniques and subjects you have experimented with so far?
I am totally self-taught: thank you Youtube! My father-in-law, a former ironworker, still gave me some advice.
What are the aspects that differentiate you from other artists, making your work unique? Are there any innovative aspects in your work? Can you tell us which ones?
Many modern sculptures are made of resin in a mold, and then painted. Mine, made of steel or stainless steel, are unique in size and color. Each work has a certificate of authenticity and uniqueness.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Mythology, ethnicity, primitive arts.
What is your artistic approach? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?
I love raw colors: yellow, red, orange, blue... When my totems are displayed, the eyes of the spectators are attracted by this abundance of bright colors. Usually they love it.
What is the process of creating your works? Spontaneous or with a long preparatory process (technical, inspiration from art classics or other)?
More often than not it is a long process of thinking, drawing and cutting. And then I take my grinder, my welding machine and I create!
Do you use a particular working technique? if so, can you explain it?
Yes. After having drawn my model, I prepare a cardboard pattern, then I transfer it with chalk on a 3 mm steel sheet. Then I cut with a grinder, I weld the parts together, I sand and I paint with body-type paint.
Do you have a format or medium that you are most comfortable with? if yes, why ?
My indoor sculptures are between 40 cms and 50 cms high, ideal size to put on a sideboard, a table, a cure.
Where do you produce your works? At home, in a shared workshop or in your own workshop? And in this space, how do you organize your creative work?
I work in a workshop set up in a former ironwork company and also in my garden.
Does your work lead you to travel to meet new collectors, for fairs or exhibitions? If so, what does it bring you?
Yes, I'm going to Zurich in September where I was invited to present my works at the Swiss Art Expo after taking part in a competition.
How do you imagine the evolution of your work and your career as an artist in the future?
Currently business manager, author of novels, trailer, I admit that I can not devote myself only to sculpture. Maybe retired!
What is the theme, style or technique of your latest artistic production?
I am currently working on a steel sculpture project representing Tutankhamun and it is my wife who is assisting me by drawing the future sculpture. It will be a four-handed job.
Can you tell us about your most important exhibition experience?
It will be in September in Zurich at the Swiss Art Expo.
If you could have created a famous work in the history of art, which one would you choose? And why ?
Statue of Liberty. For what it obviously represents, but also for its design and manufacture by an architect (Viollet-le-Duc), an engineer (Gustave Eiffel) and a sculptor (Auguste Bartholdi). When pooled talents lead to masterpieces.
If you could invite one famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would it be? How would you suggest he spend the evening?
Leonardo DeVinci. One of the greatest men in history: painter, architect, engineer, astronomer, mathematician, inventor, writer, musician, diplomat, chemist! Absolute genius. I would listen to it until the end of the night.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
