We recently connected with Rosaria Vigorito and have shared our conversation below.
Rosaria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Actually, the pursue was a direct and logical progression of my path once I reawakened to who I was all along. I have worn many figurative hats as in I am an Italian-American, a lesbian, a retired NY lawyer, NY law librarian professor, and an ovarian cancer survivor, but my calling is that of an artist. I knew I was one as far back as age seven. Whomever asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I immediately answered “an artist.” However, for many years afterwards, that recognition of who I was went dormant. My calling resurfaced from within later in my life. I rediscovered my childhood passion for art as an adult, which I call my second coming out. Although I was always attracted to creative people, when I took my first adult art class at Parsons School of Design in NYC I started my journey of coming out as an artist. I realized what I admired in other creatives was what I had inside me. Thereafter, pursuing a visible artistic career was my way of sharing my work.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My aspiration is to engage my inner “aestus,” i.e., my passionate fire, and transcend beyond just making pretty pictures. I believe art is most powerful when it serves as a bridge from our primal essence to our higher selves, when it is authentic in its message, and, when it is raw and honest. As such, I have lived a life of many glorious moments, but I have also had my share of difficult moments concerning loved ones and me. Hence, my genre of works is personal to me. Yet, I hope that my works are universally translatable and relatable to others. That my works stimulate and stir the senses, provoke emotionally and psychologically, and/or that they draw in the viewer to an honest inner dialogue on matters of the spirit.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
This is a difficult question to answer. But for certain, most artists are undervalued (and oftentimes exploited) by our society. As a group, artists are one of the hardiest working people, with no guarantee that their output will get any attention, recognition or sales. Our works oftentimes expose specific, yet universal themes, such as inner emotional and psychological struggles, processes and journeys. Moreover, even the most decorative of the works, is imbued with the indelible and unique essence of the artist who created it. Yet, society tends to not monetarily fully recognize or support such contributions from local professionals and emerging artists.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
They say baseball is a game of failures. The journey for the artist is even more difficult, even when successful. The vulnerability it entails as the hours of elevation are countered by many more of self-doubt. Hours and hours of work, without guarantee of any acknowledgement, appreciation, acceptance or consideration. Enveloped in an endless ocean of other artists, each trying to be seen, hear and validated. In that ocean, is the struggle to listen to one’s own voice, as the stream of the accepted currents are damning, tempting and abrasive. This is the journey of the artist. This is my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: rosariavigorito.com
- Instagram: aestusart
- Facebook: aestusart
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/rosaria-vigorito-artist
- Twitter: aestusart