What inspired you to create works of art and to become an artist? (events, feelings, experiences...)
My grandmother collected religious Bronzes, my psychiatrist mother, helped me a lot to think about myself, and about what surrounds me. I remember the museums and exhibitions that punctuate our vacations in my childhood.
What is your artistic background, the techniques and subjects you have experimented with so far?
I have always worked on the subject of childhood, memories, the famous Madeleine de Proust, which is so expensive. I experience feelings, most often positive, that come back to us when we are adults and that we think back to certain moments in our lives when we were children, this is what makes the link in all my creations.
What are the 3 aspects that differentiate you from other artists, making your work unique?
It's tricky to name what can make an artist unique or different. For my part, I could say that I put the axis on exclusivity, the fact of working on characters who have never been treated and being in search of means of expression often neglected by other artists.
Where does your inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from my son, louis, my family life, as well as my nostalgic side of the past. When I create the present, when I project myself into the future with the past, I have the impression of feeling myself in a protected universe in which I master the different axes.
What is your artistic approach? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?
My approach is based on feeling, on the emotion that will arise with a character who will have counted during the period of childhood, adolescence of my collectors or exhibition visitors. I always seek the same emotion and provoke a smile from the visitor.
What is the process of creating your works? Spontaneous or with a long preparatory process (technical, inspiration from art classics or other)?
This is the whole paradox. Ideas flow all day, but the production process is extremely long, a little over 18 months for each new idea.
We use new technologies to help us but there is the work of the material and the Chrome which is unforgivable. In case of failure or imperfection, you have to start all over again.
Do you use a particular working technique? if so, can you explain it?
Imagination, quiet times that help creativity, and then much more current things such as 3D assistance, molds against molds, resin prints, bronze or chrome-coated stainless steel work in silver.
Are there any innovative aspects in your work? Can you tell us which ones?
Honestly, I don't see any innovative aspect. That's not what I'm looking for in my creations, rather timelessness.
Do you have a format or medium that you are most comfortable with? if yes, why ?
I started on resin like many now I am much more comfortable with materials such as Bronze and stainless steel like Jeff Koons my large model.
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?
All the design part is done in house. I work a lot in family with my brother and my wife Laura who helps me in all the imaginary process, then I surround myself with the best workshops, foundries and other printing workshops to guarantee optimal quality.
Does your work lead you to travel to meet new collectors, for fairs or exhibitions? If so, what does it bring you?
I would say it's the most exciting side, but also the most constraining in terms of my family life. I am constantly traveling, it allowed me to discover the world. 80% of my work comes from private collection on Order. I work a lot in the Middle East, where I have great success.
How do you imagine the evolution of your work and your career as an artist in the future?
I surrounded myself. We've formed a team now of about 16 full-time people who work with me in development, production management and gallery correspondence. We need to be as professional and organized as possible to best meet the different demands.
What is the theme, style or technique of your latest artistic production?
The latest production is the mirror-polished bronze he left for a large country in Africa. It is a piece that required more than 220 hours of work. He is a Babolex magician of 70 cm 85 kilos.
Can you tell us about your most important exhibition experience?
I cannot speak about it, because it is future, it will be located in the Middle East with monumental works.
If you could have created a famous work in the history of art, which one would you choose? And why ?
I really like Jeff Koons' work, Warhol's new approach and Mauricio Catellan's provocative side.
If you could invite one famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would it be? How would you suggest he spend the evening?
I already have friendships with Ludwig koons with whom we shared an incredible dinner in Rome next to the Coliseum. Aside from the three names I gave you in response above, it might be nice to meet one of the readers and offer them dinner.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
