What made you approach art and become an artist? (events, feelings, experiences...) / What is your artistic journey, techniques and subjects you have experimented with to date?
Educated as a mechanical engineer, I have been making stained glass for over thirty years. I started making mixed media sculptures seven years ago. My sculptures, made from recycled metal and recycled metal objects, merge human, animal and mechanical characteristics to give each piece a unique personality.
What are 3 aspects that differentiate you from other artists, making your work unique?
The combination of my engineering and artistic experience has resulted in my original yet durable designs of robot sculptures, which are made from recycled metal and repurposed metal objects. The care with which I create my characters gives them, despite their physical immobility, an engaging personality. My multimedia robot sculptures, in particular, have become very popular with consumers, due to their unique fusion of human and animal characteristics.
Where does your inspiration come from?
My inspirations for the sculptures come from steampunk, sci-fi and surrealism. Drawing inspiration from movies, graphic novels, books, mythology, history, and video games, my sculptures merge human, animal and mechanical characteristics to give each piece a unique personality.
What is the intent of your art? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?
I want people to look at my sculptures and smile.
What is the process of creation of your works? Spontaneous or with a long preparatory process (technique, inspiration from art classics or other)? / What techniques do you prefer?If yes, can you explain it?
My sculptures are made of antique metal objects, and these objects are preserved in their original form. The objects that form the sculpture are screwed together, there are no welds. The elements that I use the most to compose my sculptures are old clocks and other mechanical elements, monocles, keys, old kitchen utensils ... Like that, the sculptures are not only durable but also ecological because of their recycled elements.
Are there any innovative aspects to your work? Can you tell us which ones?
The innovative aspect of my work is taking old and antique things and assembling them into new pieces of art.
Do you have a format or medium that you are most comfortable with?If yes, Why?
I am most comfortable working with metal because I am a mechanical engineer by training.
Where do you produce your work? At home, in a shared or private studio? And within this space how is your production organized?
I produce my work at home in my workshop. It is a stress-free environment which allows creativity to develop.
Does your work lead you to travel to meet new collectors, for shows or exhibitions? If so, what do you gain from it?
I exhibit my work in a lot of exhibitions throughout Quebec and Canada. In this way, my sculptures have gained new admirers and buyers.
How do you imagine the evolution of your work and your figure as an artist in the future?
My work is evolving more towards creating stories with my sculptures – making multiple sculptures connected through the same setting and story.
What is the topic, style, or technique of your latest artistic production?
My latest artistic piece is an assemblage of sculptures telling a story – a large sculpture of an apartment building with many robot tenants each engaging in different activities.
Can you tell us about your most important exhibition experience?
My most important exhibition experience was in 2015 when I won the A. Vaillancourt prize at the Meeting of the Arts exhibition in St. Jean sur Richelieu.
If you could have created a famous work in the history of art, which one would you choose? And why would you choose it?
I would choose Raoul Hausmann's Mechanical Head (The Spirit of Our Age). I like this sculpture because it has a mechanical composition.
If you could invite a famous artist (dead or living) to dinner, who would it be? How would you propose him/her to spend the evening?
I would invite Salvador Dalí to dinner to discuss his work.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
