What inspired you to create art and become an artist? (events, feelings, experiences…)
As a child I always enjoyed making things but the real epiphany came on a family trip to Paris at the age of twelve. We visited the Louvre and I can remember standing in front of Gericault’s epic painting ‘The raft of the Medusa’ in complete awe and then the next day we visited the Rodin museum and that just blew my mind, I was hooked!
What is your artistic background, the techniques and subjects you have experimented with so far?
Having studied at art college for four years in Scotland and then for a further two in New York I have had the opportunity to experiment with many different techniques. Art for me is an exploration like exploring an oak tree, you start with the trunk then move down the branches. More often than not you arrive at the tip of the branch and there is nowhere left to go so you start again and explore another but sometimes you are lucky and find at the end of the branch an acorn which grows into a whole new tree to explore. The ‘trunk’ of the subject of my artwork is undoubtedly the human figure.
What are the 3 aspects that differentiate you from other artists, making your work unique?
First of all combining classical figurative art with modern technology, secondly the search for the boundaries of that technology and finally a strong commitment to bring new ideas and concepts to a genre of sculpture that can often wallow in pastiche or the mundane.
Where does your inspiration come from?
If the core theme of my work is the human figure the inspiration for my ideas comes from more or less everything I encounter. The artist by nature observes and therefore learns. I constantly try to learn and I am fascinated by the scientific world as it too is based on observation, analysis and meaning. We are in an era where the nature of being human is in flux on so many levels and in the world of quantum mechanics even the nature of reality and the universe itself, a truly inspirational time for artists.
What is your artistic approach? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?
My artistic approach starts with a pose, an energy or movement I wish to convey. From there I try and solve the puzzle that is the anatomy of the figure, if I succeed and when I am reasonable happy with the outcome I then start to play by making multiple variations, sometimes 50 or more. As far as the viewer goes my only hope is that they feel that they have not been short changed, that I have given something of worth whether they like or dislike the piece that is out of my control.
What is the process of creating your works? Spontaneous or with a long preparatory process (technical, inspiration from art classics or other)?
This is the eternal artist question ‘how long did that take to do?’ For me the creation of a new work takes from the day you were born until that point, each work is the sum of an artist’s experience. There are moments where there has to be preparation and there are moments of spontaneity. These are the moments of mistakes and lucky finds. But one thing any serious artist would admit is we stand on the shoulders of giants.
Do you use a particular work technique? if so, can you explain it?
The technique I currently use is I model a rough preliminary sketch in clay of the pose I want so that I have something that exists in the real world that I can use as a reference for when I sculpt digitally on my computer. Once I have created the digital sculpture I then create multiple versions and after a period of reflection (I find it is important to leave a work for a few weeks and return to it with fresh eyes before making final decisions) I choose the one that appeals the most to my ideals to be 3D printed.
Are there any innovative aspects in your work? Can you tell us which ones?
The innovative aspect of my work is the use of digital sculpting and 3D printing to create the finished piece. 3D printing is a cutting edge technology which is evolving at a fast pace and is an excellent tool for innovation as it allows an artist to create work that would have never before been possible.
Do you have a format or medium that you are most comfortable with? if yes, why ?
I would not say that I have a format or medium that I am comfortable with, I do have one that is the best I have found so far to represent what I am trying to achieve. I am never comfortable with anything I do as I fear that is when you stop searching.
Where do you produce your works? At home, in a shared workshop or in your own workshop? And in this space, how do you organize your creative work?
I have a studio at my home where I can model in clay, make plaster molds, finish and patina work then another where I have a 3d sculpting computer setup and also importantly my reference library.
Does your work lead you to travel to meet new collectors, for fairs or exhibitions? If so, what does it bring you?
I do not currently travel much as I am working on a new major project although I do try to go to as many exhibitions as possible as I always am interest in other artists work.
How do you imagine the evolution of your work and your career as an artist in the future?
My work will evolve as it always has done, I am always looking for the edge. The technique I use allows rapid iteration whereas before using traditional techniques I had more ideas than time to create then, now that is in sync. As far as the future goes and my career that is in the lap of the Gods, from reading scientific studies I know that the majority of success is based on luck which can be a frightening but also calming thought. My daily goal is to get up and spend the day and sometimes the night work on my art, this is a visceral need not a fanciful choice, whether others find worth in what I do is not my domain.
What is the theme, style or technique of your latest artistic production?
The piece I am currently working on is a multiple figure composition.
Can you tell us about your most important exhibition experience?
I think my most important exhibition experiences was a solo show I had decades ago in New York. The opening night no matter how many compliments I received I had a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach as I looked at what I had created that I had become complacent. Since then I have definitely destroyed more of my work than have exhibited.
If you could have created a famous work in the history of art, which one would you choose? Andwhy ?
If I could of created a famous work from the history of art it would be the Belvedere torso. When I was at art school in Scotland there was a life size plaster cast of it in the stair well that I used to walk up every morning and I was so amazed that something that is a fragment of a larger sculpture could have so much energy.
If you could invite one famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would it be? How would you suggest he spend the evening?
If I could invite one artist to dinner it would be Henri Gaudier Brzeska an exceptional artist who undoubtedly would have rivaled Picasso if like many his life had not have been cruelly cut short by the
First World War. The evening would start with a visit to the Pompidou Center museum in Paris to see his work displayed alongside other masters followed by as simple meal in a Parisian bistro then on to a quiet bar with good malt whisky where he could tell me all about his ideas and inspiration until the small hours
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
