“I love to explore a thousand facets of the human soul, using visual forms and metaphors. The viewer finds himself so small, so microscopic in the universe. I believe that looking at oneself from afar can be useful to recognize behaviors and maybe even correct oneself.”
The artist Vera Vizzi was born in Milan where she graduated with a Master’s degree in Communication Design at the Polytechnic of Milan. After completing her studies, she spent just over ten years working in graphic design. On evolving from her work in graphics, she states: “Though pixels are infinite, they proved to be too square for me and I decided to escape the rigid rules of digital graphics and throw myself headlong into doing with my hands.”
We quiz the Italian artist on a range of topics, and learn more about her ‘little worlds’ in this (remote, covid-friendly) interview below!
What is the last song you listened to on repeat, and the last film you watched?
I’m currently on the spot with “Fred again”, I love electronic music and he creates something incredible. I see a lot of thriller movies, or psychological ones; they never bore me. The last one I saw was The Father.
Tell us about how your art journey started; how did it evolve from graphic design to handmade artworks, and where do you see your work evolving to?
When I chose to become a graphic designer I was very happy, I dreamed of making the logo of the year, or something similar. Over the years (11 in total) instead I realized that I was a mere executor of others’ stylistic choices. And the creativity I’ve always had inside started screaming. I listened to her, I followed her, and I did well. I do not know and do not want to predict the evolution of all this, I only know that I will no longer restrain myself from expressing my ego, the greatest achievement.
How do you describe your style/work?
I create three-dimensional and surrealists paintings, a kind of sculptures, or maybe Little Worlds, with matter and color.
How did the pandemic shape your artwork?
The pandemic has greatly affected my work, not so much on production but on exposure to the public. I have not yet had the honor and opportunity of a solo exhibition outside the Covid era.
How do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in everyday things, especially in nature, that even people from Milan are allowed to see smiles. Since I was a child, I have imagined microscopic worlds in reality, perhaps, simply, I have never stopped doing it.
What is the greatest piece of advice you ever received?
Do not force yourself when you have no energy, recharge and then start again when you feel like it.
What do you wish to communicate through your art?
I love to explore a thousand facets of the human soul, using visual forms and metaphors. The viewer finds himself so small, so microscopic in the universe. I believe that looking at oneself from afar can be useful to recognize behaviors and maybe even correct oneself.
We understand that you received your education in Milan and you were also born there; What inspires you about your Italian background and how do you express this in your artwork?
I’m not really able to recognize in my art inspirations to my Italian background, but they are certainly there. I have always lived here and I know this sky, these clouds, the horizon that ignites at seven in the evening, in June. Of my beautiful Italy, I have in my eyes The Duomo of Milan, illuminated with Christmas lights, the sunsets of Puglia, the sea of Sardinia, the hills that smell of eucalyptus of Tuscany. My imagination seeks inspiration in everything I believe, the eyes are windows always open, where we place them, they color our soul.