Venice a love (art) affair
Even 40+ C degree weather did not put us off as we set ourselves to be part of the Contemporary Art Course: Framework to Develop your Ideas, created by the European Cultural Academy (ECA) in Venice.
I knew from the day I received the email confirming that I have been accepted into the program that this was something that would impact me and my artwork in ways that I had yet to learn. The first day was a combination of curiosity, ambivalence (imposter syndrome creeps in at times when we least expect it), determination, and probably many other feelings that I have since forgotten. My determination was driven by my desire to learn more, how to develop further my art practice, how to understand better the ways I wanted to share about my art and my purpose when making art.
I was totally unprepared for the vulnerability that would rattled me through the days that followed, but I was not alone, I had many loving hands and arms that would embrace me and hold me as I unraveled my own story in words and also as I learnt about the stories of the other participants.
As I was to learn on the coming days:
“My art speaks to my own past with mental health challenges and healing, also encouraging others to explore the same issues as part of our shared human experience.”
It was a beautiful and powerful discovery that was already within me in every artwork that I have completed over the last two years. The last two years have gone by fast, partly because I have loved making every one of my portraits, partly because that is the nature of life when you finally become an adult.
During 10 days I had the opportunity to meet visual artists, writers, curators, comic writers, multi-disciplinary artists and our amazing line up of lecturers as well as the ECA staff. Every time I think of the 10 days I spent in Venice, a smile inevitably appears in my face, and warms my heart. I know I will never forget the most precious of moments I have lived with other artists yet. The opportunities for growth, learning, reflection and more, that the course provided, as well as having the backdrop of Venice in all its glory and all its history, is something one can simply never forget. I was intoxicated with the beauty of my surroundings, loosing myself in the city was a welcome pleasure because there was so much to see if one care to pay attention. I felt vibrant and happy, even in the difficult days, somehow they felt lighter. I had a room of my own and I flourished in my ideas and plans for the weeks, months and even years to come. I kept in mind Virginia Woolf’s book “A room of one’s own” as something that would enable me to remind myself of the power within me. A mother to 3 children, I took the time, I focused my attention for those 10 days on me and my art practice. Thank you for everyone who was a part of the experience, and thank you to the universe for working with me and carrying me to this opportunity with the love of support of collectors, family and friends.
I can’t wait to share more about the project that I worked on during my time in Venice, I look forward to continue to share more insights in a dedicated page to the Perfidia.
