Claudio makes some weird and crazy collages, and I really admire his originality. I've been thinking a lot about originality lately, it's had me at a standstill when I try to create my own collages. I've seen so much work, and there are so many styles and techniques I love, and I think because of this, I fear becoming a copycat. When I think so deeply into things like this, it's when I tell myself to: stop thinking! And just create.
Claudio Parentela
www.claudioparentela.net, http://theextrafinger.blogspot.com (1 of my 10 art blogs)
Italy
Q: Describe your work in 10 words or less.
A: Crazy & funny & coloured & creepy & fashionable with dirty alcoholic taste experiments...
Q: What do you like to work with (magazines, photographs, vintage)? Be specific!
A: I follow my instincts and mutable moods... I like to experiment and to create with whatever I've got under my hands at the moment. Yes, I like to work with magazines, photographs, vintage, etc.
Q: How long have you been creating collages and what made you start?
A: I've been making collages for some time--4 or 5 years I think. I was bored of drawing only in black and white and using only rivers of black indian ink. I loved it very much, but it was time to pass on to other mediums. I adore making collages with many different materials, always mixing them in new ways...
Q: Are you solely an artist, or do you work in another profession?
A: I'm a professional artist and I'm a freelance journalist too.
Q: Do you have any formal art training?
A: No, I'm a self-taught, very anarchic and individualistic artist. Totally self produced, day after day.
Q: Explain your favourite techniques.
A: Well at the moment I'm in total love with collage. I really like picking up all the things I like and I see and I find... Some things usually so unusuable and incompatible between themselves and I love to mix them, to cut them, to glue them, to draw and paint on them. I'm using all that I find as support (base). I have a big collection of old papers and plastics to use as the foundation. I use them to draw on with water-colours, paints, ink, coloured markers, etc.
Q: Describe your favourite piece ever created.
A: ...I have no particular piece that I like... I like all my artworks (it's the truth...!)
Q: What other artists do you admire?
A: Too many to list... Two who are very much a continuing source of insipration for me and my art are J.P. Witkin and Diamanda Galas.
Thanks Claudio!
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