In January Jennifer Gough opened her gallery as a gallery and yoga space. (Click here to read a 2016 interview I did with Jennifer). Each month the work of a local artist filled the walls, providing a beautiful backdrop for movement practice. I took several classes at the studio in January and February and got to enjoy the work of Nik Harron and Ralf Wall. Martina Vigini was the third featured artist, but due to COVID-19 the gallery had to close early on in the March exhibition. Fast forward to August and businesses and spaces are starting to slowly and cautiously reopen while still following public health guidelines. Martina Vigini’s exhibition will be up for the month of August and she will get a chance to be properly celebrated at the artist reception.
Martina works predominantly in the medium of painting using acrylics with various gels and molding pastes to achieve pieces that have texture and depth. She considers herself a statement artist with emotional tone. Every portrait she paints provides her with the opportunity to create a work of art that exhibits both beauty and emotion. Martina is also an interior stylist, creating sophisticated, modern environments that are livable, enduring and authentic in every sense.
Keep reading to find out more about Martina ahead of the artist reception at The Gallery Yoga on August 15th.
Most things are going back to "normal" now, but how did the forced pause brought on by COVID-19 affect your art practice?
Honestly, COVID-19 has pushed me to test my artistic abilities and I took a positive approach to overcoming the challenges of the situation. I used this time to finally test my abilities to create murals and my empty walls came in handy. I also used furniture to create artwork instead of canvases.
Why did you title your exhibition 'Becoming’?
Life isn't about finding yourself; it's about creating yourself. We constantly evolve therefore its always a new beginning.
A lot of the pieces in the show are quite large. Do you prefer working at a larger scale?
I feel working on a larger scale it has a bigger impact on a viewer. Art is a perfect tool to challenge and test human perception.
How does your visual art practice help you with your interior styling work?
Art can help to tell a story though interior design, add life to a space, bring bold elements into the room or just be the perfect piece for your composition.
In addition to purchasing artwork, what do you hope people will take away from 'Becoming'?
People buy art because it makes them feel something. Each person takes something a little different from the same painting and I'm happy with that. Just the fact that I can make those viewers feel anything is an accomplishment for me.
Do you do custom work?
I do various custom work on canvas, murals or furniture.
If you are local, come out to the artist reception on Saturday. If you don’t see something that catches your eye, maybe Martina can create a custom piece for you. Follow Martina on Facebook and Instagram.
Interview by Glodeane Brown
Photo provided by Jennifer Gough
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