What made you decide to become an artist? What is your background ?
A meeting via media interposed with the painter Pierre Soulages.
What are the 3 things that make you different from other artists?
1) my technique (mixed and very avant-garde). 2) mastering the color black and creating certain mixtures of black pigments that allow me to create unique effects. 3) obviously my own personality and my inspiration which comes from a mixture of lyrical abstract art and geometric Cartesian abstract art inspired by the "de stijl" movement (Piet Mondrian).
Where does your inspiration come from?
Light that fascinates me, my graphic encounters, my reflections.
Tell us about the conception of your works, do you have a long preparatory work or is it quite spontaneous?
I have a relatively long preparatory work for the base, for the intellectual sketch. Then I keep a part of spontaneity to finalize my choices.
What do you want to show through your work?
Certainly the magnificence of light. My works are changing depending on the type of incident light and the angle of observation. The work is never identical. I like the observer never to tire. Giving a form of movement to a static work by the unique fact of observation is the objective I am looking for.
In your work do you use techniques or materials that are out of the ordinary?
Yes. I have achieved a certain mastery of epoxy resin which cannot be painted (it can only flow). Finally, I occasionally use an extremely powerful black paint based on carbon nanotubes which can "retain" up to 99% of the light.
Do you have a favorite format? Why ?
Yes, I like large formats. This makes it possible to make the work more present. It also makes it possible to better meet my objective which is to make the painting changing in the light and on observation.
What difficulties do you encounter in your work?
There are several of them. The first difficulty is the lack of stable income. The second (probably linked to the first) is the difficulty of being represented by a good gallery of a good standard and not by "chair rails".
How do you work? At home, in a shared workshop, in your own workshop?
I am fortunate to live in a large building (old farm). This allows me to have the necessary space.
Does the work of an artist take you to travel a lot?
It is punctual. Depending on the meetings and the circumstances.
What has been the best moment of your career?
My first exhibition where I was able to discover wonder in the eyes of observers. The exhilarating astonishment not to have received any negative reviews.
How do you see your work in ten years?
I find it difficult to project myself because the art world is very changeable at the moment. I hope to have gained in quality, in personality and (a little) in notoriety.
What are you currently working on? Are you planning an exhibition soon?
I am currently working on a large format triptych (120 X 180 cm). I am planning a large solo exhibition in the Kinépolis cinema complex in Liège (opening 11 or 12 December 2021) with young gallery owners who have new ideas. I will make an illustrated presentation on my work, my approach during the opening.
If you could have created a masterpiece in the history of art, which one would you choose? Why ?
Curiously (because I am not a sculptor) the (very) old bust of Nefertiti created centuries ago by an unknown artist. I find it hard to express the "why". The purity of this face and the mastery of the artist of the time fascinates me.
If you could invite a famous artist for dinner (dead or alive), which one would you choose? Why ?
Without a doubt Pierre Soulages who is my mentor and who gave me (without wanting it) the desire to become a painter.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli