Republic X’s interview with Ernesto Artillo
interview by Viktorija Zilinskaite (read full interview here)
I remember browsing intensively through the galleries online and when I found these artworks two words popped into my head immediately: quality and originality. It’s the young and talented artist Ernesto Artillo, who takes one’s breath away with these beautifully composed collages, and me, as well as our team, couldn’t be happier sharing the subtleties of enchanting life of this Spanish- born talent.
Hello Ernesto, first of all, thank you for agreeing to share your experiences with Republic X. Could you tell us how did you find yourself into this kind of art?
For me collage means to literally cut/break things to create a new order, even with my own images. I like to use pictures that I have made for something else, fashion editorials normally, take them out of that concept and give them a personal meaning. I suppose, collage makes me battle with my own conventions.
Collage aside, what kind of artist would you say you are? When and where did you start?
I wouldn’t say that I am an artist yet; I think you have to purify your feelings more, I am just trying. I’ve watched my father making collage since I was a child, but I didn’t start exploring the technique until three years ago. I started painting. I was really young and I used to go to the classes with a big group of old ladies. Then, I started to take pictures on my own and, in college, I focused on fashion and advertising. Now, I’m trying to mix all of those disciplines in my collages.
Where do you get inspiration from? Are there any particular artists or artworks which influenced your style in the first place?
I love ancient art like Renaissance portraits and Greek sculptures, but also modern artists like Matisse, Picasso or Soroya. I was brought up in a family where traditions matter, so Spanish culture, folklore, religion, flamenco… are always there too. Cinema and books are huge inspiration for me and I don’t understand life without music. Fashion has a lot to give too, but to be honest, people around me inspire me the most. What I feel for my familly, friends or loves are my best artistic tools.
That’s true, your work reminds a lot of ancient art and, I would even say, is a different, modern point of view to Renaissance. Is it something you try to express or just happens involuntary?
Both I think what we really want or need to express, happens involuntary. I want to create characters that are very strong but fragile at the same time, that’s why sometimes you can see the same person twice in one collage.
Read full interview in our latest art magazine issue.
