Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Giovanna Bartoli. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Giovanna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
my first time wasn’t a flash of lightning, it was a concatenation of causes. I discovered that I liked reproducing things on a sheet of paper when I was very little, for me it was like magic, seeing how the pencil or the colors could fill the sheet, even through the expression of concepts. and then I have always liked art in all its forms and the immense beauty of the works of great artists has always bewitched me, I made a promise to myself “sooner or later I will be able to do something similar” and I started to dream …
Giovanna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Giovanna Bartoli and I am an aspiring artist, I have always followed this tortuous path and I know that the goal will not be to arrive somewhere in particular but the journey undertaken. I have always loved art, particularly painting, although I also dabbled in sculpture, achieving my first international success in 1989 (a bronze tile for the Fantasy Fountain, visible at the entrance to the Basilica of St. John the Divine in the park in New York). I studied Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Carrara, and during my studies I received my first recognitions in Italy. But my interests also concern ancient Egypt, I have, in fact, a degree in Egyptology and I have conducted excavations in Egypt with the University of Pisa. I have recently experimented with digital art, in particular 3D modeling and video games and the new potential of A.I. in the artistic field, and I believe that if he had had the opportunity Leonardo da Vinci would have done so too. I collaborated with the MICC of the University of Florence on a Serious Game in virtual reality, created to assist emergency room doctors and to set up an operating room.
My path was not easy and in Italy it is even more so because art is not always recognized as a profession.
Nonetheless, my dedication led me to win a highly prestigious national award, the Basilio Cascella Award, where for the first time in 50 years a female artist won all the awards: jury, public and critics. It was a huge satisfaction.
I have received interest in my work from various parts of the world: one of my paintings entitled “another world is possible” exhibited in 2011 at the Spazio Oberdan in Milan, on the occasion of the Ricoh competition, was the object of curiosity for the Italian national press because a Berlusconi fan bought it after seeing a child Berlusconi depicted in Prometheus;
in 2018 a small picture in Salta in Argentina which became part of the Iglesias de Los Angeles project;
another painting of mine, in 2022, made during the pandemic, aroused the curiosity of the Trujillo MBA – Peru, for an “INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DIGITAL TRENDS AND INNOVATION IN GRAPHIC DESIGN” just to give a few examples.
Being an artist is especially challenging, especially when you don’t have a stable financial base that allows you to focus solely on artistic creation. I don’t give up, even if there are periods of total blackout, sometimes linked to events that happen in the world and that an artistic sensitivity unconsciously internalizes. My dream would be to find a patron who is passionate about art and beauty, someone who believes in my art and supports me. Maybe it’s a forbidden dream!
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Society has a crucial role in supporting artists, creatives, and the creative ecosystem as a whole. It is through vigorous and intentional support that we can cultivate an environment where art flourishes and creativity thrives.
First and foremost, education must be prioritized. Investing in the arts from the early stages of education is crucial. Schools should encourage creativity and offer robust programs in visual arts, music, theater, writing, and more. This not only nurtures early talent but also teaches all students the importance of creative expression in life.
Additionally, ensuring that artists have access to resources and opportunities is essential. This means providing grants, funding, and creative residencies to allow artists to focus on their work without the financial worries that often plague them. Furthermore, cultural institutions and artistic spaces must be supported and promoted, providing platforms for exhibiting, performing, or showcasing artwork.
Protecting copyright and ensuring fair compensation are fundamental pillars of supporting artists. Society should recognize the value of creative work and ensure that artists are adequately compensated for their cultural contribution. This includes combating piracy and strengthening laws that protect artists’ copyrights.
Promoting inclusion and diversity in the creative ecosystem is also essential. All voices must be encouraged and celebrated, regardless of their background, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. This way, an environment can be created where creativity can flourish in new and innovative ways.
Finally, society must recognize the intrinsic value of art and creativity for human well-being. Art is not just a luxury activity but a vital element of our existence. From the music that comforts us to the artwork that inspires us, creativity enriches our lives in profound and meaningful ways.
Ultimately, supporting artists and the creative ecosystem requires a global and multifaceted commitment. It is only through such support that we can ensure that art and creativity will continue to thrive and enrich our lives for generations to come.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being an artist or a creative is like dancing with the soul on the canvas of life, painting with colors that only we can see. It’s an endless journey into the deepest recesses of our minds, an exploration of emotions, thoughts, and ideas that reside within us.
But the most rewarding aspect of it all is the ability to shape our dreams, to transform the ephemeral into the tangible, the abstract into the concrete. It’s like taking a piece of formless clay and molding it with our hands until it takes on the shape we desire, or taking a melody whispered by the wind and turning it into a symphony that resonates in the souls of those who listen.
Gratification comes when our works touch the hearts of others, when our words, our notes, our images find an echo within them. It’s a deeply human experience because it connects us to others through the purest expression of ourselves.
Being an artist or a creative also means embracing uncertainty, navigating the tumultuous waters of inspiration and frustration. But it is precisely in these moments of challenge that we find our strength, our determination to persevere and carry on our creative journey.
Lastly, the most rewarding aspect is seeing the world through different eyes, discovering beauty where others see only banality, finding meaning where others see only chaos. It’s an endless dance between what is and what could be, between the real and the imagined, between what defines us and what pushes us to grow. Being an artist or a creative is embracing life in all its complexity and beauty, and making it tangible for all those fortunate enough to cross our paths.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @giovanna.bartoli
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giovannabartoliart
- Other: https://www.behance.net/giovannabartoli
Image Credits
The images provided are my paintings