Interview: Maggie Veroli
Luca Curci talks with Maggie Veroli during VISIONS, third appointment of CANVAS ART FAIR 2023, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello in Venice.

Mathematician, teacher, traveller; interested in history – in particular antiquity and the Middle Ages, dance, culture and art. She creates his own painting style – called virilism. She runs her own art gallery in Gdańsk and an artistic, cultural and culinary restaurant (culinary travels in time and space). She participates in numerous individual and collective exhibitions in Poland and around the world; and organizes vernissages and art reviews. Her paintings are not only a visual value, but they are also a deep philosophical concept, provocation, and controversy – they are supposed to force reflection and discussion.

Luca Curci – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
Maggie Veroli – I come from a picturesque city in north-eastern Poland – Olsztyn. I live here with my family, work and create my work. I graduated from higher mathematics at the University of Warmia and Mazury, specializing in topology and abstract algebra, and didactics of English, devoting research to conventional and unconventional language teaching methods. In my paintings, I refer to logic and mathematical abstraction, I take up humanistic themes that touch various areas of social and cultural life. A special place in my works is occupied by a woman. Her existence, evolution, and emancipation.

LC – How much has the city/country in which you grew up/born affected your work as an artist?
MV – My homeland – Poland has not influenced my artistic work in any significant way. I participate in numerous collective exhibitions and competitions, where I present my works. I also run my own art gallery ORIA MAGIC HOUSE in Gdańsk – my paintings are a permanent exhibition, regularly enriched with my new works. I am also happy to host other artists from Poland and abroad.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
MV – I create my own style, called virilism, going beyond the university rules. I bend time and space, break proportions and perspectives, and experiment with shape, colour, structure and technique. I combine the logic and precision of mathematics with the fantasy and sensitivity of a humanist. Each of my paintings has its own story and philosophical concept. I love travelling with an artistic note – I admire the art of different cultures. I’ve been especially interested in the mosaics. I photograph them, explore their history, examine their mystical symbolism and expose them in my paintings.

LC – What is the most challenging part about creating your artworks?
MV – The biggest challenge is probably… deciding which of my million ideas to implement here and now. I love creating and I would like to paint everything at once unfortunately, it is not possible, I have to decide which of the ideas I will implement at a given moment and it is difficult.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
MV – The style of my art has not changed significantly. I have always loved vivid and energetic colours, mosaics, Klimt and the concept of painting that combines an intriguing image pleasing to the eye with philosophy, considerations on various, often controversial social topics and provoking discussion. My style – VEROLISM – I am constantly developing and remaining faithful to it.

LC – In which way the artwork presented in our exhibition is connected with the exhibition’s theme?
MV – In my works, as I mentioned, I pay special attention to women. Equality remains a very fresh topic and, unfortunately, it is very slowly taking place in the awareness of societies. The Birth of Icarus is a picture that shows a woman from ancient times, in Panta rei we see the process of changing the image and rights of women in time and space, and finally, Eve and Adam is a vision of a woman in the future – who stands next to a man – strong, brave, equal in rights and duties. The theme of the Visions exhibition is therefore particularly close to my heart. I believe that my works fit perfectly into a canvas of Visions. The three paintings I present are part of the sixtic UNIVERSE.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
MV – It’s a pleasure to work with you. Giulia gave me all the information I needed, answered questions quickly and gave good advice. ITSLIQUID Platform – I enjoy visiting here I’m watching the event VISIONS organized by you from Poland. I regret that I cannot attend it in person.