Interview
Ana Rosado
Ana Rosado is an artist and author from Évora, Portugal, born in 1993, currently an Academic representative for Portuguese Academic Center for Letters and Arts (NALAP), and a master’s student of Language Science at the University of Évora. Her main works include three published manga books, illustrations for books and magazine covers, first place in a drawing contest, the title of Artist of the Month for a national manga news outlet, and also winner of a privileged spot for a mural painting to promote her hometown being European Capital of Culture. As well as participation in 4 regional art exhibits, and promotion of her manga painting by two different national traditional media outlets, PTAnime and Devir. Her most known works are the manga titled “The Heroes of Alto de São Bento”, 2021, “Occam’s Blade”, 2022 and “Trauma”, 2023.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born loving to draw and paint. Since I come from a family of artists, in a way it runs in my veins! I’ve always loved using drawing as a means of self-expression and would always try to recreate on paper the cartoons I saw on TV, as I was watching it. Later on, drawing became a way to have fun with friends, and we would enter contests together, just for fun! I only had arts as a school subject and practiced drawing in my free time, but I believe this helped preserve my joy for it, as well as to develop my unique style and perspective on art and as a reaffirmation to myself as to why I do it. I did end up being a manga drawing teacher for 7 years and it was wonderful to teach, as well as to learn from my pupils. Throughout that span of time, I would also take up commissions locally, and would soon get recognized and scouted by art academies, institutions, and other entities. Currently, I have made a decent career in arts for myself, with three published manga books, several cover illustrations for books and magazines, full book illustrations, and a beloved community of fellow artists and fans of the arts.”
What inspires you?
“I produce different types of artworks, some more on the social work or political activism spectrum, while others are pretty anime characters, however they all stem from my own mood and feelings on the subject. Us human beings can be vastly complex, and so the variety of my work reflects the vastness of my emotions and thoughts on different topics. The social and political themes I usually make art on can be varied but usually have to do with human rights.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Some of my works, namely two of my manga books, are packed full of underlying messages. If we were to look at the big picture of all of my works so far, then the message would be a wish, a hope and a fight for equality, for fun and whimsy across all age brackets, a lightness and a togetherness, more empathy and less judgement, accepting different people and different things as beautiful as they are.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is authentic and genuine emotion, as I’d like for it to encompass a realistic human experience – not too perfect, or too dull, or too vibrant, but rather with a little bit of everything thrown in. I can’t imagine existing without expressing myself in this way. Some people can pick up on this immediately, while others don’t. That’s okay, as it’s their own interpretation of my expression. Visually, I like to think the main distinguishers of my art style are the Japanese influences, even in non-manga characters, the bright colors, and also the realism.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I definitely march to the beat of my own drum, however the influence from Japanese art movements is undeniable. I also like to think of some of my works more so as modern/conceptual art, as I often focus more on the concept, as well as the outcome and repercussions of said work, rather than focusing on the final visual result.”
“My work is authentic and genuine emotion, as I’d like for it to encompass a realistic human experience – not too perfect, or too dull, or too vibrant, but rather with a little bit of everything thrown in.”
What is your creative process like?
“I need to be as comfortable as possible in my knowledge of the subject matter. So, I research a lot, both the information and visual references. At the end of the day, I’m preoccupied equally with what I integrated, and with what I left out in the open for the viewer to put together by themselves.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Art is extremely valuable, yet often not valued. Art is what provides relief from the daily hurdles, much like sleep, or showering, it in a sense resets our bodies and minds by bringing us back to a place of relaxation, joy or comfort. Or rather even – discomfort. Whatever one might be looking for, it can be found in art as a reflection of it, and thus it becomes a mirror into ourselves.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I’ve enjoyed immensely every exhibition I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of. One of those exhibitions was vandalized in protest against the LGBTQ community, so it stands differently from the others, however, that’s not how I would like to look back on exhibits. Usually the whole experience is quite fun and exciting. I feel a little shy when everyone is looking at my creations while I’m standing there, but I also feel proud!”
Instagram: @anarosadoartist
