Delve Into The Delicate Nature Of Colour, Process And Flow - An Interview With Artist Silvana Abram

I’m excited to feature this interview with artist Silvana Abram. The Italian painter tells us about her big influences and creative experiences.

Silvana Abram in her studio. Image courtesy of the artist.

SAH: What made you venture from archaeologist and philosophical counsellor to painting?

SA: To answer this question, I prefer to talk about art rather than painting as art itself pushed me - like an inner wind that has always been present inside me - towards archaeology and a philosophical practice.

In both cases, we desire to understand what we have created as humans over time in terms of artefacts and meaning. Making art, painting in particular has always been present.

However, it has become more dominant, compared to the other activities that coexist within me. I continue to think philosophically and to look at objects - even contemporary ones, historically.

It’s my way of understanding art, my view of the human world and artefacts/objects, whether they are 3000 years old or belong to contemporary design. Whether they are made by me or created by others. Therefore, we can agree that thinking and making art is the "fil rouge" that characterizes my creative work and my way of "living with art".

Silvana Abram’s Studio. Image courtesy of the artist. 

SAH: How do you go about transforming an idea into a physical piece?

SA: Very relevant question! In the case of painting - I think the process is interesting because the idea I express on the canvas through the world of colours is already internally present, ready to emerge. Developed and processed on a mental and emotional level.

It gains physical momentum with action through gestures which is a delicately, cathartic moment. It requires my deep attention: it is philosophical and meditative attention that I recognize as "here and now" with a suspension of judgment.

The energy produced by the vibrations of the colours I choose plays a vital role because the colours are the perfect carriers of the substance of art.

SAH: What kind of impact do you hope that your work has? Aside from the message, is it enough that your art just be beautiful?

SA: I hope my work is valuable. In the meantime, it is useful for me because I think that art - in some difficult moments of my life, has saved me and continues to do so in its different forms.

I hope that what I do is generates thoughts and feelings for others, both personally and collectively. Beautiful for me is art that reflects a thought linked to the sense of justice: that triggers processes of regeneration, reparation and reconciliation between human beings, between humans and the earth, the universe.

I propose a kind of beauty that invites us to dwell on the enchantment, amazement of the discovery of new worlds within us and around us. As well as in other people and in human nature.

A form of beauty that leads to the contemplation of the mystery that envelops life and its various expressions. In a certain way, it is a question of shifting from an anthropocentric vision towards an visions inhabited by elements and energies that have equal dignity and to which art gives voice.

I think that aligning with beauty is generating love when hatred and sad passions have trivially returned to be heard and seen - declined in various ways throughout the world, despite the lessons that history has taught us and the existential vision has shown us.

Artwork by Silvana Abram

SAH: What moves you about the way that colours interact on a canvas?

SA: I can tell you that I have developed a special relationship with colours.
A psychophysical attraction towards a sensitive medium. As if colours were calling me and choosing me, asking me to restore justice to them by giving them actualization. Almost as if their physicalness needed the physicality of my hand to live.
A mutual mutual synergy.

SAH: Do you remember the earliest memory of when you wanted to do what you do today?

SA: Maybe when I said to my mother - at the age of about 7-8 years, "I'll be a painter!".
It is a clear and happy memory.

SAH: What is your main mode for selling original work now?

SA: I like having an intermediary who takes care of the sales. To each his own!
And it's nice to work together in this context too.

SAH: What advice would you give somebody who has just started their artistic career?

SA: Be realistic, start with getting to know yourself. Follow your instinct and artistic determination, the sense of justice, regardless of external pressures.

Art in the dimension of creation loves truth and always freedom. I think that art lovers also appreciate these values.

I would also suggest that you choose to live where contemporary art beats - in an environment that inspires and motivates you.

You can weave relationships with other creatives because the energy comes from an idea, an image, a creative word generates other ideas, images and words. I also advise to continuously gain knowledge and experience through art-school classes.

Besides, the art of sharing makes everything more fun and vital.

After all, those who live in art can become our family in the world.