Artist talk with Alessandro Borgonovo
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'Untitled', 2021
Enamel and spray on canvas
80x100cm
Tell us about yourself.
I was born in Italy in 1980, in a small town close to Milan, where I still live and work.
Basically I am a self-taught artist, since I’ve never attended an art school.
After quitting law at University, in 2006 I began working as an assistant in a contemporary art gallery in Milan. That is the place where I learnt the most, talking everyday to artists and collectors. In 2012 I decided to be a full time artist.
Where did your passion for art begin?
My passion for art in general began when I was around twelve, when I started playing guitar and formed a band with my friends. Then, at the end of high school, I felt the need to approach other forms of expression and I made the first visual artworks with different media.
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How would you describe your work to someone?
My work has always been abstract. At the beginning, made through different digital softwares, then through painting. If I should label my work now, I would say Raw Abstraction.
What are you currently working on?
At the moment I am working on large scale paintings and I am making sketches of some sculptures I would like to produce, but I don’t know if they will ever see the light. Let’s see if they are worth it.
'Untitled', 2020
Enamel and spray on canvas
140x165cm
When you start a new work or project, do you plan what you’re going to create or do you improvise?
When I start a new painting I have clear in my mind what colours I am going to use.
The black spray paint lines and spots are the structure of the painting itself. If they have the right proportion, strength and balance on the surface, I go on with the process and finish the artwork.
Otherwise the canvas ends up in the trash.
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'Untitled', 2021
Enamel and spray on canvas
40x50cm
Can you highlight some of your influences and discuss how your influences have made an impact on you and your practice?
I love music, especially British rock and roll/psychedelic music (and its evolution) from the ’60 till now. I am sure that it inspires my attitude when I am in front of a blank canvas.
Concerning the art influences, I like a lot all Gunther Forg and Steven Parrino body of works, the late DeKooning, the Italian minimalism of the ’60 and ’70 (Azimuth group and Pittura Analitica movement). Back to the past, Egon Schiele, Hieronymus Bosch, Piero della Francesca and many more.
What are your plans for the remainder of this year?
My plans are to show my paintings as much as possible, both digitally and physically, but my goal is to start a partnership with a proper gallery abroad.
Anyone out there...?