Interview: Petronella Petander
Luca Curci talks with Petronella Petander during MIXING IDENTITIES, third appointment of CANVAS ART FAIR, at THE LINE Contemporary Art Space in London.

Petronella Petander is an artist born in Stockholm, Sweden, where she also currently live. She works within a tradition of storytelling, mainly through text, video and audio. By using and transforming embodied experience, her work deals with matters of belonging, social hierarchies and shame.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Petronella Petander – A way to express me and to comment and contribute to the world.

LC – What are you currently working on?
PP – A new film project.

LC – What is the most challenging part about creating your video works?
PP – All stages in the process have their challenges, and I think it also differs from one project to another.

LC – Are your video works focused on a specific theme?
PP – That is always hard to answer in a few words because I like my works to have an openness, but social hierarchies, identity and belonging are issues that I seem to come back to.

LC – Which is the role the artist plays in society? And contemporary art?
PP – To contribute, question, comment on the world around. I guess the artist’s role is to tell the stories one feels must be told, and to stay true to them.

LC – What is the message linked to the video work you have shown in this exhibition? How is it connected to the theme of the entire festival?
PP – I feel I can’t really say that without giving it away…

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the festival?
PP – Yes I do and questions around identity is definitely a very relevant theme.

LC – What do you think about the organization of our event?
PP – You’ve been doing such a great job! Unfortunately, I’ll not experience the exhibition in person this time because of the current travel restrictions, I can’t go to the UK now.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
PP – Absolutely!

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
PP – Yes, it has been great!