Interview: Christine Lance
Luca Curci talks with Christine Lance during CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2021 – THE SECRET GARDEN, at Misericordia Archives.

I live and work in the suburbs of Lyon. Passionate about painting and – more globally – about creation, I attended the Ecole d’Art Martenot for four years, then, in parallel to my job, I joined an art studio for twenty years. I took part in numerous training courses with internationally renowned painters. After devoting myself to the female nude, my passion extended to lyrical abstraction, seduced by its spontaneity. This freedom of movement allows me to give free rein to my imagination. I try to extract the very essence of my emotions, of a moment, of an experience… I open up paths for any outside viewer and the spectator immerses himself according to his own sensitivity, invents his own story. Feelings diverge or come together – each person interprets according to his or her own state of mind and travels through the movements of the pigments. In parallel to painting, I also practice direct carving sculpture. I have been exhibiting regularly since 1999.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Christine Lance – Art, for me, is a way to communicate, to express yourself. Words are superfluous, the expression of your art speaks for you. Of course, the interpretation can be very different depending on how your work is viewed, but you have nonetheless translated your feelings, your moods.

LC – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
CL – Initially, I attended the Martenot School of Art for four years, joined an art studio for twenty years, and then finally took courses with internationally renowned painters. That was the trigger. Painting became a necessity for me. For 25 years I have been painting relentlessly.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
CL – From the figurative – I was mainly devoted to the female nude at the beginning – I passed to lyrical abstraction. It was a revelation for me, an evidence. The spontaneity of my gestures is totally liberating and allows me to be myself, without artifice. Each artwork reflects my state of mind at the time of creation. Everything is subject to inspiration. Freedom of interpretation is also essential – I want to open up paths for everyone to follow, to invent their own story according to their feelings. There is always a light somewhere, it is up to each person to integrate it into their imagination and make it their own. Above all, I want to allow people to escape, to dream – something that everyone needs.

LC – How is being an artist nowadays?
CL – Being an artist has always been difficult. The multitude has not made things any better. You have to really believe in what you are doing if you don’t want to get discouraged.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this festival? How did it inspire you?
CL – I didn’t know about this festival. I find it very interesting because of its concept. Lyrical abstraction is completely linked to the theme, this style of expression involving your gestures, your state of mind, influenced by the environment in which you intervene.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
CL – I do think that Itsliquid Group can be an opportunity for artists who want to make themselves known in a different way, on a wider art scene. I have really enjoyed this collaboration. The platform is well done and very dynamic.