Interview with Antonella Quacchia & Maciej Pajak

Maciej from Arthentico: "Hello Antonella! I am very pleased that I can now get to know you and your art better in a short interview. Thank you very much for the invitation!"

Antonella Quacchia: "Hello Maciej, I am very happy!"

Maciej from Arthentico: "Then I would like to start with the first question that I am very interested in - where do you get the inspiration for your paintings and how did your artistic journey begin?"

Antonella Quacchia: "I've actually been painting since my childhood and have always loved painting. But as you know, my actual profession is something entirely different. My academic background is in computer science, and I've worked in this field for over 40 years. I started at the European Center for Nuclear Research and later worked at the International Labor Organization. And yes... due to this full-time job and raising my children, there was unfortunately very little time to dedicate to art, to painting. I have painted, but only very little and rarely. But I've always loved it. Therefore, a few years ago, I attended courses with various painters who introduced me to new techniques. During this time, I painted more figuratively. I started - quite classically - with flower motifs and landscapes. [Laughter] I experimented with a lot during that time. Different techniques and colors. Watercolors, oil paint... everything possible... But yes... only a little over two years ago, when I came to Vienna at the beginning of 2020 and quit my job, I finally had the time and space to fully dedicate myself to art and develop my own style. Now I'm more into the field of abstract art, as you can probably see here. [Smile] This probably also came from the courses I attended here in Vienna. I was able to further develop my technique and also started to use very different materials for my paintings. This includes things like powder from stones and metals. But also, in general, mixing different types of paint... like mixing acrylic paint with ink and powders. And yes... that's also what you can see from me now. My paintings involve a lot of experimenting with different materials." [Smile]

Maciej from Arthentico: "An impressive journey. I can imagine that it probably wasn't easy around the beginning of 2020 when suddenly COVID-19 became a huge topic, to completely change your life, right? How did you manage to express your emotions on canvas during that time?"

Antonella Quacchia: "When the pandemic began, I was all alone here. I had just moved to Vienna, knew very few people, and of course, I was separated from all my friends and family. During that time, I drew a lot of inspiration for painting from my memories. The painting we're sitting in front of right now, I've titled it 'Friends' and it's dedicated to all my friends I left behind in Geneva. Geneva, like Vienna, is a very international place, and I had friends from various countries and professional backgrounds. That's what I tried to convey on canvas here. The memories I have of these friends. But in general, I've drawn a lot of inspiration from memories. Also from the many trips I've taken. All of that has stirred something within me and provided the right motivation. I was also fortunate to have met a very nice gallery owner here in Vienna, who believed in my art. He truly helped boost my confidence in my art. His name is Panto Trivkovic. Despite the pandemic and everything surrounding it, he gave me the opportunity to exhibit in his gallery in 2020. He really encouraged me to keep painting and to make more out of it. I'm incredibly grateful to him for that. Luckily, between lockdowns, I was able to attend various courses during the pandemic. So, opportunities arose for me to continue developing my art - despite the difficult times. Above all, I was able to delve more into the realm of abstract art. And today, I feel that abstract art allows me to express myself much better." [Smile]

Maciej from Arthentico: "That's heartening to hear. Surrounding yourself with people who believe in you is important. Especially as an emerging artist, it's probably challenging to have self-confidence and find a way to express your inner voice on canvas. I find that you really succeed in doing that in your paintings. Your works evoke so many emotions in me, and I could look at each one of them for hours, interpreting my own story. Particularly the painting 'Beloved One,' which we're sitting in front of right now, I find extremely intriguing. Could you tell me more about it?"

Antonella Quacchia: "Certainly. I dedicate this painting to a friend I met as a teenager. We had a very close friendship, but at some point, we both took different career paths and saw each other less frequently. He became a doctor. And then, he ended up working as a doctor in Africa. Unfortunately, we lost touch... And at the beginning of 2020, I received the news that he had passed away due to an illness he contracted in Africa... It really affected me... especially because we were almost the same age and we used to be so close... So, I felt compelled to create this painting... with his face in the center and a shape reminiscent of the African continent. I love Africa. I've been there often. Especially because I was married to a South African before... I've seen so many places there, and Africa has a special place in my heart... I adore the light there, the scents... I've always felt comfortable there. My previous job also led me to have many African colleagues. I simply love Africa, and that's why I've tried to use colors in this painting that pay homage to this wonderful continent. There are a lot of memories and emotions woven into this painting."

Maciej from Arthentico: "That's a very touching story behind the painting. Thank you for sharing that with us. Now, I'm curious, what do you aim to evoke in others with your art? Is it important for you to elicit emotions in others?"

Maciej from Arthentico: "That's a very touching story behind the painting. Thank you for sharing that with us. Now, I'm curious, what do you aim to evoke in others with your art? Is it important for you to elicit emotions in others?"

Antonella Quacchia: "Naturally, I want to evoke curiosity and imagination in others. Curiosity has always played a significant role in my life. It's been a constant companion, so to speak. When I was three and a half years old, my family moved to Brazil, and I spent my entire childhood there. I've always traveled a lot - not just for work - but because I'm genuinely interested in exploring new countries. Curiosity has always driven me to discover the beauty in the world. But it has also helped me understand how people live, how different lifestyles can be. And how people perceive the same thing differently based on their experiences or culture. This curiosity is something I want to convey through my abstract paintings as well. I hope that viewers can let their emotions flow freely when they stand before my paintings. Often, someone stands before one of my paintings and says, 'Oh, I see a fish here!' or 'Oh, this reminds me of a mouse!'... [Smile] It's interesting to see how people interpret my paintings. Each person has their own interpretation. And that's what I find fascinating. This exchange of different perceptions. With my art, I simply want to trigger feelings, memories, or thoughts. But always the positive ones! I believe that art is also meant to bring out something positive within us. When you stand in front of a work of art, you should think of something beautiful and maybe even evoke a smile. That's the positive energy I want to ignite."

Maciej from Arthentico: "You definitely achieve that. Your works somehow reflect that you're inspired by positive memories. I also find it beautiful that you mentioned that everyone has a different perception, and you enjoy hearing those different interpretations. In art, there's no right or wrong, that's clear."

Antonella Quacchia: "Exactly." [Smile]

Maciej from Arthentico: "And because you briefly mentioned it earlier - do you sometimes still doubt yourself and your art? Or face challenges in expressing your inner self on canvas?"

Antonella Quacchia: "I always have doubts when I start a new painting. It's like a dialogue between the canvas and me. Even when it comes to paintings that involve a lot of materials, like the powder from stones or metals. In a way, this material already has its own life for me. I enjoy this interaction with the material. But every painting is a challenge for me. Even if I often have a clear idea of where I want to take that painting. I can't really control the creative process. It's more towards the end, when I perceive and feel the artwork itself. That's when I can influence the final result more. But I'm often just surprised by what ends up in front of me. [Laughter] I enjoy it, though. Most of the time, I feel like I'm moving in a different dimension when I'm in that creative flow. Then I can focus solely on the painting, forgetting everything else around me. That can go on for hours." [Smile]

Maciej from Arthentico: "That's really heartwarming to hear. So, for you, it's clear when a painting is truly finished?"

Antonella Quacchia: "Yes, it's finished when it's finished. [Laughter] I simply feel it, that it's done. It somehow tells me that it's done. Even if I'm not always satisfied with it. But it's just a part of me. I've created it with full emotion, so it belongs to me."

Maciej from Arthentico: "I understand. [Smile] Thanks for explaining that! Now, for my last question: What are your next artistic goals?"

Antonella Quacchia: "I'll definitely keep painting a lot. I can't really stop anymore. [Laughter] I want to further develop my art, and I'll continue working on my series and start new ones. I'm thinking of something more vibrant, more colorful for the new ones. It's going to be about madness and freedom. So, something entirely new for me. I've already made some sketches and am really excited to finally start with that. [Smile] Of course, I don't want to stop exhibiting my art either, because I love interacting with people. I already have a few exhibitions lined up. One, of course, with you, Arthentico. I'm particularly looking forward to that exhibition. [Smile] Then I have a few other exhibitions planned for next year. One in Madrid, one in Tokyo, a solo exhibition in the heart of Vienna, and one for the Biennale in Florence. And maybe there will be others as well. In any case, I'm excited about all of the exhibitions." [Smile]

Maciej from Arthentico: "Wow, you have a lot planned! That's great. We at Arthentico are certainly eager to see how your artistic journey unfolds. Thank you for this conversation, Antonella!"

Antonella Quacchia: "I'm excited too. [Laughter] Thank you as well!"