Rosary Solimanto, In The Garden (video still)

Interview: Rosary Solimanto

Luca Curci talks with Rosary Solimanto about her concept of art and her experience during Pixels of Identities – Spain.

Rosary Solimanto is best known for her mixed media narrative based work which suggests the pain and struggles she has faced. Her goal is to create an interconnectedness through exposing afflictions people encounter, inspired by her own battles with multiple sclerosis, she encourages empathetical conversations about the realities/atrocities people face to unfold. Solimanto is an emerging artist who has exhibited in the United States. Awards includeParnassus Award in Fine Arts at Adirondack, New York; Kulakoff Award at Albany, New York; and the Sojourner Truth Fellowship at New Paltz, New York. Born in New York, Solimanto has received her Associate in Arts from State University of New York at Adirondack in 1999, then received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Fine Arts with a minor in Psychology from the State University of New York at Albany in 2013, and she anticipates her Masters of Fine Arts Degree in May 2015 from the State University of New York at New Paltz. She currently lives and works in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Rosary Solimanto, Sisyphean (video still)

Luca Curci – When did you start practicing art and why?

Rosary Solimanto – I was crippled by multiple sclerosis and underwent an experimental procedure, a stem cell transplant. The chemotherapy they gave me halted the disease. At this point I began lifting weights daily, changed my dietary habits to a Paleo diet and stopped taking all prescription medication. At this point I was 31 years old and began practicing art. Life at this point had changed dramatically my body and mind began healing and I had mobility again. I realized I had a life again and I needed to pursue a career change which was less stressful and more enjoyable. I knew exactly wanted I wanted to do; I wanted to use my hands, eyes and body and create art.

Rosary Solimanto, Malaise (video still)

L. C. – Can you talk about your artistic work? Which are your inspirations?

R. S. – The work I make stems from my experiences; using my darkest most intimate moments of pain and unveiling the truth. I allow myself to be vulnerable and share these moments of brutal honesty in my work. Artists that inspire me are Hannah Wilke, Frida Kahlo and Helge Meyer.

L. C. – What are you currently working on?

R. S. – I am currently working on several performances documented with video and photographs.

Image courtesy of Rosary Solimanto

L. C. – What was the best advice given to you as an artist?

R. S. – The best advice I have been given as an artist is: Keep it simple stupid. Do what you know. What have you learned from this failure?

L. C. – What is art for you?

R. S. – Art to me is vast and limitless: what I decide is art, freedom of expression, vulnerability, repression and desire, and unquenchable thirst for knowledge and truth.

Rosary Solimanto, In The Garden (video still)

L. C. – What do you think about International ArtExpo organization?

R. S. – I think the International ArtExpo organization is a wonderful way to present contemporary art to a large culturally diverse audience.

L. C. – Do you think International ArtExpo organization can represent an opportunity for artists?

R. S. – I think International ArtExpo represents an opportunity for artists by providing a forum where their art can be viewed and discussed.