Interview: Bel Infeld
Luca Curci talks with Bel Infeld during CANVAS INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2022, at Palazzo Bembo – Venice Grand Canal.

Painting has been an important part of my existence since I was a child. I had the privilege of being surrounded by artists who awakened my passion for painting and who were happy to pass on their knowledge to me. At the end of the nineties, I moved to London, where I began my studies at the art academy. Unfortunately, I interrupted my studies because I had the feeling that I would not be able to develop further as a painter. I decided to travel the world to gain impressions and experiences. To learn from great masters from other cultures with the aim of developing my own styles. This decision was essential for me and still shapes me as an artist today. It’s the faces that fascinate me as an artist. The expression of my works of art is reinforced by colors and emotions. My aim is to give my works a soul. A soul that evokes a story in the eye of the beholder. The focus of my paintings is mostly on young women who, through their strength and self-confidence, are able to conquer their place in the world. My works invite the viewer to put themselves in the picture with their emotions and to immerse themselves in a world beyond the reality of their everyday life. For me, painting is not just starting with a brush on the canvases, it is much more science in which, as an avant-garde artist, you often have to destroy all elements of the materials and techniques in order to create great, fascinating works. My great desire as an artist is to be free and independent. Free in my mind and independent of disruptive factors that prevent me from exercising my passion. With my works and their bold expression, I pursue the goal of attracting worldwide attention.

Luca Curci – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
Bel Infeld – Painting has been an important part of my existence since I was a child. I had the privilege of being surrounded by artists who awakened my passion for painting and who were happy to pass on their knowledge to me.

LC – What are you currently working on?
BI – My latest painting is about combining some of my previous painting techniques and is the most extensive artwork I have ever done. The whole process of inventing and creating every single detail has taken me more than the whole last months. I’ll start with carving the frame, then I did the canvas by myself and proceeded with contouring the painting and I’m still finishing it over the last few days in a lot of separate sessions to get the oil carefully dried up. The intention was to create a painting which is reflecting the daily impressions I get when I’m in the Tyrolian Alps. For me, it’s as well important that I’m able to contain the good vibes women are giving to my life into my art. A special element is also to play with different types of styles and colours which are changing the reflections when you modify the light. A little bit of an idea you can get in my below comparison of old and actual styles. I’m more than happy when I am able to present this special affair of my heart in one of my upcoming exhibitions. So stay tuned there is more to come.

LC – Do visitors’ suggestions enrich yourself and your art?
BI – Observers and Visitors of my exhibitions have a big influence on my creative evolution and I’m constantly learning and pushing myself to higher limits.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
BI – I started my way as an artist at the end of the nineties when I moved to London and began my studies at the art academy. Unfortunately, I interrupted my studies because I had the feeling that I would not be able to develop further as a painter. I decided to travel the world to gain impressions and experiences. To learn from great masters from other cultures with the aim of developing my own styles. This decision was essential for me and still shapes me as an artist today. There has as well always been a big influence on my artworks from Gustav Klimt, Henry Matisse, Egon Schiele, Andy Warhol and Friedensreich Hundertwasser. I have added you as well a painting which I had done in the 90ies and in the background my latest masterpiece.

LC – Which art themes do you pursue? What is your preferred subject, if there is any?
BI – It’s the faces that fascinate me as an artist. The expression of my works of art is reinforced by colours and emotions. My aim is to give my works a soul. A soul that evokes a story in the eye of the beholder. The focus of my paintings is mostly young women who, through their strength and self-confidence, are able to conquer their place in the world.

LC – We were attracted by your last artistic production, has the artwork presented been created for the exhibition or as a part of pre-existing works?
BI – Over the last two years I had a very strong period of creating new paintings and through covid, I had the time to evolve my techniques to another level. My legacy as an artist has grown over the last years on over 100 artworks and I have chosen especially for the ITSLIQUID art fair at Venice these four paintings based on your “mixed identities”

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the exhibition?
BI – A friend of mine has put my attention to your exhibition and told me about your good references and so I decided to give it a try and take it as a chance to present my paintings to your visitors. I was highly impressed by the huge amount of artists which are presenting their paintings cause I was in the past always at solo exhibitions or smaller fairs where I have the chance to present my artworks much more exclusive.

LC – Would you suggest a collaboration with us? What do you think about our services?
BI – It was my first time to work with an Italian art publisher and as well first time in Venice which brings extra challenges with the shipment but in general I’m interested to work with you based on the next weeks and the summarized impression I will have after the end of the exhibition. What would make my life much easier would be a general delivery point outside of the city where you don’t need specialized transport for the last mile. Overall I’m very thankful for the opportunity to present my paintings at your art exhibition and I hope we can develop together a good relationship for further activities.