I steal the identity of historical events, things, works and people by repeating and modifying them with the medium of oil painting on various canvas dimensions; all this to see if, in this repetition, a new or different sensation can arise curiousity.
These are the words that Paolo Pavan uses to describe his approach to art on his Artsted page. I think that this is a great starting point for our 5 questions with the artist!
Repetition, in this case, is the key to understanding Pavan's creative world.
Paolo Pavan, born in 1987, identifies as a painter but he experimented with many media. During this experimenting phase there was always a robust colour scheme in which the detail is almost always lost in the blur.
What was your first step in becoming an artist?
Initially I was not really interested in painting - during my first year at the Accademia, in fact, I loved to draw. This allowed me to be free in a way and to warm up before moving on to paint. Drawing was my dimension.
During my Master's, finally, I slowly switched to painting... attending Decortation courses and opening myself up to other possibilities.
I loved to draw. This allowed me to be free in a way and to warm up before moving on to paint. Drawing was my dimension.
What is indispensable while working in your studio?
Nothing, in the sense that there should not be any interruptions. In those moments I do not exist for anyone.
Who are your favorite artists and who are the ones that built your creative imaginery?
Egon Schiele and Francis Bacon influenced my creative imaginery a lot but there are a lot of other artists that guided me during the years.
How did COVID-19 impact your career?
COVID-19 slowed me down a bit, in a positive way. I began to work in a calmer way. Overall, it did not affect my technique or my mood.
What is your relationship with social media?
I play with them like a baby - sometimes it can be stimulating, sometimes it's tiring. But I wouldn't know the correct answer. During the pandemic I met a lot of exceptional people and artists thanks to social media and - in some way - it enriched my vision. Overall, I would say that my relationship with social media is fragmented and aloof.
