Interview: Emanuela Nesko
Luca Curci talks with Emanuela Nesko during VISIONS, third appointment of CANVAS INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

“I create predominantly self-portraiture images placed in a surreal and moody environment. The surreal worlds I develop are a form of escapism from reality to safely process challenging situations like abandonment and bullying. To bring these painful thoughts to life, I sometimes use dark and rusty colors to symbolize overwhelming introspections and depression. In some images, I introduce textures to give the environment a feel of decay as a reflection of the degradation of the human being after years of suffering. The surreal elements help to emphasize the story in a more absurd way, making it sometimes more digestible and other times hard to look at and, therefore, memorable”.

Luca Curci – How did you get into photography? Do you remember why you took your first professional photo?
Emanuela Nesko – Ever since I was a child, I had a passion for visual arts. I loved drawing, painting, photography, drama and anything that let me express myself creatively. But it was at University, where I studied Fine Arts, that I discovered photography as my favourite medium. I was fascinated by how a single image could tell a whole story, and how I could use symbolism to convey ideas or emotions and reflect my inner conflicts. After graduating, I was unsure about my career path, but I knew I wanted to focus on photography. So I took the first opportunity that came my way and became a newborn photographer. That was how I began my professional journey in photography. It was a thrilling and challenging experience that was very different from what I do now.

LC – When you take photos, are you usually inspired by the situation or do you find inspiration in yourself?
EN – It depends on the situation. Sometimes I come across places that spark my imagination and I save them for later, until I have a concept that matches that location. But most of the time, the inspiration comes from within. I have an idea in my mind that I want to turn into reality with photography. My fine art photography mainly reflects my inner struggles, such as the fear of leaving my comfort zone to grow as a person, or the feeling of being disconnected from my body.

LC – Among the several techniques you use, which one do you prefer to practice and which of them are most compelling for you?
EN – My main technique is self-portraiture. I set up the camera on a tripod and used the interval timer to capture a sequence of images. Then I pose in the scenario that I have prepared. I get many images in different poses, and I select the one that matches my vision. I edit the image in Photoshop to alter colors, composite new elements or modify the lighting. Often I like to blend different textures that I photograph myself, to give the final image a more painterly look, depending on the style that I aim for.

LC – Are your artworks focused on a specific theme?
EN – The main theme that unifies my work is mental health. I create art to explore my internal struggles and represent them in a visual way. It is a therapeutic process for me, a way to gain a better understanding of them. It is also a way to connect with others who are going through similar struggles. I hope that my art inspires the viewers to examine their inner world, to think about those issues, acknowledge them and eventually overcome them.

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
EN – Sometimes I use reason and sometimes I follow my intuition. There are images where I have a specific theme in mind, and I research symbols, plan the visuals, colors, light, wardrobe and everything else that goes into it. For other images, I have a flash of an image in my mind and I feel a strong urge to create it. In those cases, I just create the image and see what emerges from that. It is fascinating to discover what lies in the unconscious mind. There are often issues that are not easy to surface but they come out through something visual.

LC – What is the message linked to the artwork you have shown in this event? How is it connected to the theme of the entire exhibition?
EN – For the event “Visions”, I displayed three images that all depict the internal struggles that a person can face in certain situations. The link between the theme of the exhibition and my artworks is that my images reveal the inner identity of a person, one that is often hidden in daily life. I use symbolism, colors, light and composition to express the emotions and thoughts that a person may have, but not show to others. I try to capture the essence of a person’s inner world and make it visible through my images.

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the exhibition?
EN – I agree and I think that the theme of the exhibition invites a very intriguing conversation about our identity, what shapes our personality and how the identity of a society can transform and evolve.

LC – Would you suggest a collaboration with us? What do you think about our services?
EN – I think your services are very professional, and well-structured and I felt confident and supported during our collaboration.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
EN – Absolutely, it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase in amazing places with high visibility in the art world and also to network and interact with other artists or professionals in the art industry.