Interview

Jun 23

Michela Vicentini

Born in Milan in 1989, Michela is always been fascinated by Art and the research of the perfect colour combination. She moved to London in 2013, where she is currently a resident and UK citizen.

In 2003 Michela started an art diploma at Umberto Boccioni art college under the experimental program named “Leonardo Da Vinci” this included; Fine Art, Graphic Design, elements of Architecture, Sculpture, Engraving and prints of Etching, chemistry and many other Humanistic and Scientific classes. During college, Michela spent one year in Central America where her artistic taste was influenced by colour combinations and forms. After five years of Art courses, Michela took a degree in international, multimedia communication and Marketing, at Pavia University. Since 2020, Michela started to participate in some Art fairs in many cities in Europe. In 2021 Monat Gallery started representing Michela and some of her artwork in Madrid, Paris and Monaco.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I was born in Milan in 1989 from a lovely Italian family. Since a very young age, I had expression difficulties and I was always getting frustrated as my friends and family struggled to understand me. It came natural to me to develop a different form of communication: art. My real journey into art started at the age of 14, when I insisted to study at Liceo Uberto Boccioni in Milan. During five years at college I studied: the history of art, visual and graphics design, sculpturing with granite and modeling clay, the fundamentals of architecture, still life drawings, etching and many others like national and international history, philosophy, Italian civil law, the fundamentals of Italian public law, Italian literature, English literature, advanced mathematics, geometry and chemistry. During this period of time, I also started travelling and I lived one year in Honduras. This has certainly changed my life prospective as well as influenced my style. I concluded my studies with a degree in marketing and communication at Pavia University. I can admit my studies really influenced my art to this day.”

What inspires you?

“My inspiration comes from people and the energy I receive from my surroundings. I analyse unspoken truths about society, women's position in the current world as well as men's reactions and reposition. I consider myself a feminist but of the original concept of feminism, the idea of being equal, not superior, not of the concept of being happy without a man, the idea of being free to choose for your own body. I'm inspired by the idea of being able to be ourselves. I encourage acceptance, empowerment of what in society can be considered a weakness where in many aspects can be a strength. I encourage connection and partnership. I want to be inclusive of all genders and sexualities. I had the opportunity to experience both worlds, the fortunate and top-end social class, as well as living in extreme poverty where people could not even afford shoes. I often compare these two worlds and examine their similarities and immense differences. I use the human body to symbolize my message, but I often compare it to the animal world. Recent history is also part of my language. Inspiration is endless, and there is always something to say through colour and canvas.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“Individual power and the possibilities we can create when united. The underlining message is to create a new way of seeing each other as unique but at the same time equal, where the combination of energy can elevate our spiritual growth as well as the world's intelligence. I'm not illusional, and I understand that something like this can be considered a utopia, however I do believe that it is worth to try and bring this message to the world. A world that too often goes to one extreme to the other without finding balance. I believe in creating a world equilibrium so to be able to reach a new consciousness.”

“Inspiration is endless, and there is always something to say through colour and canvas.”

How would you describe your work?

“My work is a total mix of figurative, abstract, and symbols. I like to hide different forms and symbols in my work. The intention is to be able to enter the subconscious of the public. I hope my message of unity and acceptance stays with whoever is watching. I want the canvas to speak and to say things I haven't even been able to think of myself. During my working sessions, I often lose site focus on what I'm doing, almost like I go on autopilot until the very end when I detach myself to see better; I do believe to be capturing the energy of the subject I'm expressing. For this reason, I describe my art as the art of meanings. Where every canvas has its own story.”

Which artists influence you most?

“Futurism, the symbolism inspires me, and impressionism, cubism, and most of the vanguards. I would love to be able to create something like these movements and have my manifesto. Revolutionary with my language as well as with expression form. I want to create a community of artists who inspire each other.”

What is your creative process like?

“I observe a lot, and the ideas come to their conditions. I often start with the color pallet I want to use I'm connection with the subject. The rest kind of comes on its own. When I start a canvas, I have to finish, so it does typically not take longer than a week. This time can be considered from 8 to 12 hours of daily work, depending on the size of the canvas.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“Artists are messengers; art uniquely expresses the most potent messages without taking a side. Art is a moment of reflection for the artist and the public. Art can not be in a rush; artists have a fundamental understanding of time and creation. The role of an artist is to guide lost minds because artists see and feel the world with different eyes. Every artist is different because each of us has a role to fulfill, has a message to give if the real intention is not a monetary reward. The real intention of an artist should be the message and how this message can change the world, and its evolution. Money is essential but should be a consequence of the primary purpose.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“Monat Gallery in Madrid is representing me at the moment, but I did not have a chance to have a solo exhibition. However, I did participate in a group exposition with Art3F in Monaco and Paris. I have been part of the Guado Foundation in Milan and experienced in their exhibition.”