Valeria Magini

What was the motivating factor that inspired you to pursue a career in art? Beginning to work as an artist was a difficult decision to make. Over the years, after studying something else, I kept looking for ways to express myself by training on my own. I worked in different professions and pursued many projects, but there was always a voice in my head calling me back to art. A year ago, when I faced a difficult period in my life, I decided to change and follow my instincts. I believed in myself, and so I began to set pieces in this new path. I had many satisfactions after the year ended, the most important of which was my first solo exhibition in downtown Rome.
What was your academic background and what role did it play in your decision? I went to a classical high school and later graduated with a degree in linguistics science. Learning about different cultures pushed me to look for meaning beyond the visible, which is why I loved studying literature and languages. What we perceive as real is on one side, and the inner world is on the other. In literature and linguistics, all of this is certainly studied, and it was from here that I explored the world of figurative art.

What makes your style unique? I communicate emotions and portray them through moving images, in which one can easily identify with because they communicate using a clear and recognizable symbolism for everyone: a hug, a kiss, a smile. I think of life as a series of snapshots. The present for me is only a moment that never stays the same.
Tell us how your expressive technique has changed over time. I started drawing with markers and pencils when I was a kid. Later, I attempted to figure out how to use oil paint and tried acrylics. I experimented with many materials, including paper, cardboard, canvas, wood, cloth, and recycled materials. Even with a hint of intolerance, I have researched and experimented a lot to find my expressive balance. I recently discovered oil pastels and their capacity for layering and strength in vivid colors. After several attempts, I finally found that smooth and thick paper are a winning combination.
A romantic atmosphere emerges in your illustrations through the juxtaposition of human representations with the natural world. Where does this choice come from? Schlegel’s philosophy, Heine’s perception of reality, and Coleridge’s poetry have left me where a sense of decadence hovers. They also left me with the memory of the knight who goes into the woods without armor to look for the infinite snakes. Indeed, the imprint of Romanticism marked me; I stayed there in the search for the irrational human, chained by modern, everyday oblivion.



Your stroke is clearly identifiable. Did you know what your expressive identity was immediately? No. It took me a long time to understand myself, and I think I’m just starting. But I am happy with where I am now because I am aware of myself. My stroke represents me because it tells what I live and feel with no clear lines, an adjective I feel close to. Over the years, the tests and research I have done have allowed me to see myself again on paper.
What do you believe are the essential elements that make an artist a professional? Method, order, space, and the ability to communicate effectively with those you work with are essential. Professional artists know how to manage their work space in the best way possible – they meet deadlines, they order their production in a methodical way – and, on the other hand, they know how to manage their work space in the best way possible; I think in this empathy is indispensable. In order to communicate effectively and present myself, I am sensitive to the needs of others. I always try to connect with those I collaborate with, respecting not only my own vision, but also the vision of others.




Contact: @valeriamagini