Interview: Alice Pagnossin
Luca Curci talks with Alice Pagnossin during FUTURE LANDSCAPES, 3rd Appointment of BORDERS ART FAIR 2021 at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

Alice Pagnossin, founder of Ali Art Studio, was born in Treviso, Italy in June 1990. From her early years one perceives in her a strong aesthetic taste developed in every form of it; from an interest in drawing, to clothing and personal care in general. She has developed various passions since she was a child; she approaches painting, sport practiced at a competitive level, the study of music and musical instruments and she is constantly looking for stimuli from the world around her. During her teens, she began to create jewelry for herself with different materials (lace, leather, wood, resins) and to modify her clothes despite having no tailoring skills. After undertaking a university course in a purely economic sector, she realizes that it cannot be the right path for her creative nature and therefore decides to change faculty graduating in Economics and Management of Arts and Cultural Activities (EGART) to be able to work tomorrow in the world of art galleries or exhibitions in general. Once she finished her studies she decided to leave for Australia, staying in Sydney for 6 months and there, through the knowledge of an artist who was a friend of the family and active in the city, for the first time she became interested in the world of contemporary and modern art remaining fascinated. Back in Italy, she collaborates in the creation and management of an exhibition of the architecture Biennale in Venice demonstrating a particular attitude for staging. Pushed by the constant desire to learn new things and perfect her skills, she enrolled in a Visual Merchandising course, earning a diploma and earning a place in the register of Italian window dressers. After a couple of years spent working as a visual merchandiser and moved by the desire to revolutionize the furniture of her living room, in May 2020 she developed the idea of ​​creating paintings with a mixed technique consisting of drawing and digital print transferred to canvas, all completed with acrylic paint. Her works begin to be appreciated and requested not only by relatives and friends but also by new people, pushing Alice to create Ali Art Studio and to create more and more works thus refining her technique. Her paintings, colorful and pop, are characterized by the presence of high fashion brands and generally have a single subject highlighted by the background and details. The visual language used is very simple and direct allowing anyone to understand its essence and making the works accessible to a very wide audience.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Alice Pagnossin – I believe that art is difficult to define because it is present in everything around us. Sometimes it can mean escape (from oneself, from the world) and refuge. It is a completion of what is happening around. As if it were a decoration. Art helps to see things more beautifully.

LC – What are you currently working on?
AP – My way of working is strange.  I always have so many ideas on my mind and I find it hard to concentrate on one thing… for this reason, when something comes to mind, I start drawing (with an iPad or mobile phone) at any time, wherever I am! On the sofa, in bed, while I wait for friends at the bar and then everything comes by itself!  I currently have a folder on my phone called “drawings” and there will be at least 50 inside! I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to do them all.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
AP – My inspiration is definitely my little dogs. I began to draw them and subsequently other dogs and then I decided to also range in the field that I am most passionate about: fashion. To understand how inspiring they are, just look at my latest creations. Some French bulldog ceramic figurines, decorated with high fashion logo stickers and acrylic color. And then another inspiration, if it can be defined as such, I find in myself; in what I like, in my tastes.

LC – Do visitors’ suggestions enrich yourself and your art?
AP – Of course I am very happy to receive advice and feedback from people, but generally I go quite far on my way and I always do my own thing! Following my instinct and my taste.

LC – How do you feel when you see your work completed?
AP – I think proud is the best word. I feel happy and satisfied regardless of the work I have completed. It doesn’t even seem like a job to me! It seems like a hobby to me and this is very important considering that we are destined to work for most of our life, if we are satisfied with what we do, if our work completes our life then we have hit the target.

LC – We were attracted by your artistic production, has the artwork presented been created for the festival or as a part of preexisting works?
AP – The works that I have decided to exhibit were made in different moments of my artistic career. There is one of my very first works, there are some made in particular moments such as quarantine or in winter when the colors and the glue are more difficult to dry until they reach the present. I chose these 5 works because I believe they can sum up my technique and what I want to convey to the observer.

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the festival?
AP – I am really happy to have participated in this edition of “Borders art fair” because I believe that the FUTURE LANDSCAPES theme is perfect for identifying my works. Because the technique I use is not widely used and digital drawing is the paper drawing of the future.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
AP – I certainly believe that ITSLIQUID GROUP represents an excellent opportunity for artists of all kinds. Venice is a suggestive and fantastic showcase and it gives you the opportunity to make yourself known internationally as it is a not indifferent artistic center. Personally, I had a really great time with everyone. Helpful, kind, and professional people.  I like the fact that I was given the opportunity to choose the layout and also the most suitable location for my works. I am really happy with the result and I hope to have the opportunity to collaborate again in the future.