What prompted you to create works of art and to become an artist?
Art has always attracted me, especially street art and music. In my teens, I tried my hand at graffiti on my notebooks and drawing sheets. I've always had this need for creativity, to do something with my hands. I started to paint on different supports, to meet artists. It made me want to be even more creative and do it seriously.
What is your artistic background, the techniques and subjects you have experienced to date?
I am self-taught, I have not had any artistic training but I am interested in art history, artistic culture, artists and their different techniques. It allowed me to experiment with stencil, collage, mixedmedia and other techniques. Today, I mainly work with acrylics and brushes on subjects that mix Pop Art and Abstract. I like to say that I do Pop abstraction.
What are the 3 aspects that differentiate you from other artists, making your work unique?
The way I design my paintings by mixing Pop Art and abstract art and my desire to renew myself and explore different axes of creation
Where does your inspiration come from?
It comes from my youth, movies and cartoons that I watched on TV but also magazines. Urban culture, skateboarding, tattooing. I am also inspired by other artists, their work, glitch art media.
What is your artistic approach? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?
I like to deconstruct my subjects, give an abstract side that leads the viewer to ask questions about the content and form of my works.
What is your artistic creation process? Spontaneous or with a long preparatory process (technical, inspiration from art classics or other).
My creative process begins with a research work, I am not a painter who paints spontaneously. I like to have a rough draft of the work I'm going to start. I first work on computer or paper, which allows me to test several visuals before starting. Once started, I change a few details but I'm never surprised with the end result.
Do you use a particular working technique? If so, can you explain it?
Yes, I have a way of working and a particular technique but I prefer to keep that to myself. A magician never reveals his secrets because otherwise there is no more magic.
Are there any innovative aspects in your work?
Innovator, I don't know. I think that my approach and my artistic process allows me to offer unique works that can easily be recognized. On the other hand, I live with my time and I am seeing to include certificates of art in the form of NFT and to propose my works in NFT.
Do you have a format or medium that you are most comfortable with? If yes, why ?
Yes, I work a lot on canvas, so I'm logically more comfortable on this medium. I often use formats of 40 even if I happen to work on larger format. I like when the work dresses a wall. However I am not closed, I worked on wood and plaster. In the near future, I plan to release a series exclusively on wood.
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 produce in my workshop, which is at my house. I like to be close to my workshop. I can work when I want. For now, I'm in the middle of a move so I'm going to review the layout of my space. What I can tell you is that I like to have everything to hand and that I arrange my colors in order of pantone number.
Does your work lead you to travel to meet new collectors, for fairs or exhibitions? If so, what does it bring you?
Not yet, I'm still an early career artist. This is the goal for this year. Exhibit in my city and in Paris.
How do you imagine the evolution of your work and your career as an artist in the future?
My work will evolve over time but I don't know the direction my career will take. I want my art to be accessible all over the world.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli