What made you approach art and become an artist (events, feelings, experiences...)?
Well it all started during the summer of 2019 during a photography course offered by the Hermanos Saíz Association, an organization that promotes Young art in Cuba , well I took the course and during , I realized that this is what I wanted , that through photography I had the tool to say , to pronounce myself , to unburden and transform my reality.
What is your artistic journey, techniques and themes that you have experienced to date?
My journey has been a constant evolution, the Black and White is quite recurrent in my work, the high contrasts to the use of Digital intervention in my photographs, I am very open to use different techniques in order to tell stories that in the end is the goal.
My recurring themes are loneliness, abandonment, social and political issues, I like to touch the soul of the people through my images that are somewhat different visually to documentary photography for example but that have well marked the imprint of these phenomena.
What are the 3 aspects that differentiate you from other artists and make your work unique?
That in these times is quite difficult to achieve, I think that in my work I have gradually achieved my own stamp and one of the things that distinguish it is the high psychological and sentimental charge in the works, another thing is the linking of each one with my own emotions makes each image show a little of me beyond the story that tells and finally I think the way and the approaches of my photos that go from the most local to become something global by the themes with which I work.
Where does your inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from my day to day life, from phenomena that surround me, from things that I keep deep inside and that I want to tell, stories of mine or of people very close to me.
What is the intention of your art, what visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?
I try to evoke feelings, reactions, whatever they feel when they see my work, pleasure or displeasure, what is important and what I look for is that people feel identified and that it generates sensations.
What is the process of creation of your works? Spontaneous or with a long process of preparation (technique, inspiration in art classics or others)?
Well, the creative process has evolved a lot, at first it was a little more improvisation, and over time it has changed and I study locations, references and a fairly strong work of conceptualization and semiotics, beyond a simple portrait or a more elaborate photo I always take more time.
I draw from many things, from classic exponents of the arts to more contemporary artists, I can mention Magritte, Irving Penn, Andres Serrano and Antoine D'agata among my main references.
It all starts with an idea , a story that I like to write as a realto , where I describe visual details as well as feelings and actions of the subjects ,
In a second moment is the part of research, artistic, psychological references, etc. ...
Then I move on to the part of looking for the location where I will take my photo, I am quite difficult to find one that I like.
Then I start the work of art direction, wardrobe, elements that I will use.
That's why the day of taking the picture is quite fast because I already have a pretty strong pre-production work.
Are there any innovative aspects in your work, and can you tell us which ones?
I think my work is the result of a lot of converging artistic and academic elements and influences.
Do you have a format or medium that you feel most comfortable with?
Photography for me must be seen and the type of work I do I always like in large print formats, I use photographic paper although sometimes printing on canvas supports the pictorial discourse of some of my images.
Where do you produce your work, at home, in a shared or private studio? And within this space, how do you organize your production?
I like to work seasonally, when I find an ideal location I do a whole series there, although most of my portraits I do at home, the economic conditions in Cuba do not allow to have the maximum conditions to work fully so the effort to do the work is double.
Most of my photos are taken with natural light or simply with a continuous light.
Does your work take you to travel to meet new collectors, to do shows or exhibitions? If so, what do you gain from it?
I am an artist based in Cuba, where conditions are quite adverse for artists when it comes to traveling and being able to establish links with other artists, collectors or hold exhibitions.
Social networks have been from the beginning my best ally to be able to position my work nationally and internationally.
How do you imagine the evolution of your work and your figure as an artist in the future?
I think the goal is to position my work internationally and to be able to live from what I do, I would like to continue to improve myself, to study photography in a school since my training is completely self-taught.
To be able to show my art outside Cuba is my main goal.
What is the theme, style or technique of your latest artistic production?
My latest production is entitled "Absences" has a pictorial style and elaborate scenes where the human figure is the protagonist and I try through it to refer to all those emotional deficiencies that human beings can have throughout their lives, it is my first photographic series completely in color.
Can you tell us about your most important exhibition experience?
Well, I have several important experiences for me, but the most important one will happen in September 2022 when my work will be exhibited at the Latin American Art Triennial in New York, I am super happy with this as it will be significant for my career.
If you could create one famous work in the history of art, which one would you choose, and why would you choose it?
I think it would be "The Lovers" by René Magritte, it is a work that I have loved since I was a child and because of its emotional charge it is very linked to my work.
If you could invite a famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would it be? How would you propose to spend the evening?
Without a doubt it would be Andrés Serrano, he is one of the main references I have and one of my favorite artists in the world, he influenced me a lot in my path in photography.
And I think I would invite him to have Cuban food for dinner and have a good rum while we talk about art.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
