Francesca Calzà
Discover the talents of T.O.E. Art Market through a series of exclusive interviews with the artists featured on our platform. Together, we explore the artistic practices and research pursued by the artists who enrich our community with their unique artworks. Each week, we invite you to get to know better the challenges, languages, themes, and stories behind the works available, allowing you to connect with the creative minds that make T.O.E. Art Market a vibrant and dynamic showcase.
We are here in the company of Federica Poletti. Let's start with a few questions to get to know her better!
Francesca Calzà - Could you tell us about your artistic journey? How did you become interested in art?
Federica Poletti - I approached art in a natural way. Ever since I was a child, my only interest was painting or drawing. I never wanted to pursue anything else, and when the time came to make a choice, I followed my natural inclination by pursuing artistic studies, which culminated in a degree in Painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna. I then continued my training in the studio of a renowned painter, who taught me a lot, instilling discipline in my work. My artistic journey has been a traditional one, with a focus on developing my own voice through continued exploration in painting.
Francesca Calzà - What encounters, cultural references, or moments would have had a strong impact on the development of your research?
Federica Poletti - My first significant references were found during my time at the Academy, notably my Anatomy professors, Davide Benati, and Walter Guadagnini, who taught Art History. The Academy years were crucial in learning to interpret art, embracing conceptual thinking, and not just focusing on execution. Since then, I’ve always engaged in research, and today, I believe that the work of painters like Michaël Borremans, Phil Hale, Justin Mortimer, Nicola Samori, and Teodora Axente has influenced me significantly. Conceptually, I would also mention Carol Rama, Louise Bourgeois, Gina Pane, Ana Mendieta, and Kiki Smith as references that inform my work, even if their influence is perhaps less immediately apparent.
Francesca Calzà - Are there constants in your work? What would drive you to explore these topics?
Federica Poletti - Yes, there are recurring themes in my work. One of them is certainly the gaze. Eyes unsettle me. The female body, which for me is a constant mystery, is another. The deepest and most unconscious impulses and fears fascinate me, and they consistently reappear throughout my work.
Francesca Calzà - How do your cultural roots and personal experiences influence your artistic practice? Can you provide some examples?
Federica Poletti - My cultural roots will likely influence my upcoming exhibitions. I am planning to develop a theme that closely relates to the cultural undercurrents of Emilia. As for my personal experiences, I’m sure they have a strong impact on my artistic production, although at the moment, I can't identify a specific memory from my past that has had a significant influence. I’ve repressed much, and I believe that through painting, I am sublimating my personal experiences.
Francesca Calzà - Can you share some details about your creative process?
Federica Poletti - A particular aspect of my creative process is the presence of a lot of chaos. My painting is always instinctive and spontaneous, and I never have a clear vision of what the final work will be. It’s like a struggle that eventually ends but could potentially continue indefinitely. My painting and creative process have a lot to reveal, even to me.
Francesca Calzà - How does a work come into being? Do you always start with a predefined idea, or does it emerge during the process?
Federica Poletti - The genesis of a work is a complete enigma for me. I have no idea about the process, nor do I know where the images come from, why I might envision a face instead of a flower, or why I primarily work with oil painting and drawing, only deviating slightly from other techniques. It’s a mystery, even to me. This mystery is filled with sublimation and questions that keep me constantly engaged with my artistic work. I greatly fear finding answers and prefer to live with doubts.