We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Margherita Tibaldo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Margherita below.
Margherita, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project I have ever worked on is the Women Collection. In 2020, I decided to start a new series inspired by the women around me, in real life and on social media. At the time, I was also going to art school, and I was exposed to the classical female nudes made in the 1800s. These paintings represented submissive, powerless and objectified women, that were subject to the male gaze. This concept did not resonate with me, and I decided to change the narrative into something more aligned with today’s values and ideas. I decided to represent powerful, confident and strong women. I only paint the torso, with bright colors and sinuous brushstrokes. Each nude is inspired by a real woman that posed for me. Each painting has a different story.
Through this collection, I have been able to connect with multiple women with their stories, insecurities and challenges. After finishing a painting, the model told me that she wished she saw herself like I saw her.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I was born and raised in Italy until the age of 19 years old. After graduating High School, my family and I decided to move to Dunedin, a small town in Tampa Bay. I immediately started school, but I was not brave enough to go towards the Arts with my degree. After changing my mind a couple time, visiting the school of Architecture and Graphic Design, I decided to get my Bachelor in Fine Arts at the University of South Florida. The two years I spent at USF drastically evolved my work. I dove deeply into acrylic and oil paint, and I created a couple of very successful collections. After graduation, I decided to never let go of art. I applied to grants and local show, and I successfully got into local exhibitions. My current work is a representation of what is like to be a woman in the 21st century. My paintings are relatable, real and make the viewer think. Some pieces might be shocking to some. Art includes a reaction from the viewer, whether the reaction is good or bad. I have had a couple of interesting reactions that proved my points ever deeper, and I am proud of that.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I believe there should be more emphasis on art education, starting at a young age. I see many people not knowing the importance of art, and just commenting: “this piece has pretty colors”. A world without art is a very muted world, and more people should learn about the importance of art. The art world has spectators, but not enough. In my career, I have explained art to so many people, and, thanks to my words, they have become interested and passionate about it. Art is a wonderful tool to create a community, to connect with people and to heal one self. Art is a tool and it should be used more.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is connection with people. I have connected to my classmates through artworks. I remember my whole classroom crying during a critique. We were all looking at a beautiful painting my classmate made, with the most rich and intricate meaning. I had people coming to me, at my show, telling me which piece they identified with. I had women I painted telling me that they wished they saw themselves the way I saw them. It is all about the connections that keep me alive, and keep me want to make paintings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://margheritatibaldoart.com/
- Instagram: margheritatibaldoart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/margheritatibaldoart