We were lucky to catch up with Gina Raphaela recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gina, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Around the time of the 2016 national primaries, I was struck by the implication for women should Hillary Clinton break the glass ceiling and become the leader of the United States. Although that didn’t happen, I created a series of female mannequins that each represent a feminine archetype. The Women Series, features some of my most favorite constructive art sculptures including one made from tempered glass, another made with over 10,000 mini marshmallows and resined, of course for preservation.
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 am an Italian American, born and raised on Long Island the middle child of six. My father was a member of the Genovese Crime Family so I learned at an early age how to keep secrets and put a clamp on my self-expression. It was safer that way. Despite my childhood environment, I was determined to find a way to express myself creatively. At 17 I began to explore the art world in New York City.
Heavily influenced by my bold and vibrant Sicilian heritage, my art juxtaposes a masculine sense of danger and provocation with refined finishes. My creative process begins with an open heart and quiet mind as I attempt to create from an acceptance of the unknown – the ultimate freedom. My goal is that the viewer of my work experiences that same freedom.
My art work has been exhibited in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington DC and Tokyo and is held by international art collectors.
I’m thrilled to share my latest digital art on my website and in a LA solo show later this year.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
A pure and unleashed sense of freedom when I’m creating my art and also, seeing the joy and aliveness that my clients experience as a result of my work.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
During Covid, I didn’t have access to my Los Angeles work space, but the gift that came from that experience was my pivot to creating digital art. My new series of digital prints has been a blessing that resulted from that strange time but sometimes, “strange” can be a great jumping off point to create art.
Contact Info:
- Website: ginaraphaela.com
- Instagram: @ginaraphaela