Ana Camilo interview, nnc gallery london.

Winner of Challenge 2020

Collective 20

https://www.nonamecollectivegallery.co.uk/portfolio-1/ana-camilo

Ana Camilo for NNC gallery, London.

Hello, our interview wants to introduce you to our readers.

Tell us about your artistic work.

How many years have you tried your hand at being an artist

Is there a common theme in your projects?

Do you have your own style, your own precise technique?

What is your artistic medium? Do you use more than one?

Hello, firstly, I would like to thank you for inviting me to this interview.

I have always loved subjects related to art and crafts. One of the first trigger moments happened when I was about 4 or 5 years old, and I saw a Plein-air painter working very close to where I lived. I visited him regularly, stayed there, and enjoyed watching him at work. He fascinated me with how he managed to reproduce the landscape on canvas.

Since I was a child, I have learned various craft techniques, but with particular attention to embroidery.

I started painting in watercolors when I was 8 years old, and soon after I started showing my works in several group exhibitions; actually pretty much non-stop since then.

And it just so happened that from a younger age until today, I could never imagine making anything but works of art.

My work is about places and memories, so usually my favorite subject is the landscapes of the places I visit. I also explored the cyanotype technique. In my recent works, I mostly use ink and sometimes oil paint. All of this combines to create my own style and technique.

Do you place your work in a specific artistic movement?

As I use different mediums and approaches, I cannot place my work in any specific artistic movement.

We are trying to figure out how an artist is born.

Did you study in an art school or are you self-taught?

Has anyone introduced you to art?

As mentioned, I started painting and learning techniques related to craftsmanship at a young age. I started taking watercolor lessons when I was 8 and spend my time after school in a studio. After that, I have oil painting lessons. Then I start studying and exploring other techniques on my own.

I opted for a degree in Conservation and Restoration, my other passion.

Each artist expresses their culture and country in their artistic work. Can you tell us a bit about art in your country? Is there an active artistic community? Are you part of it?

Tell us, we think it's interesting to shed light on the world of contemporary art and how artists experience it.

There is an active artistic community, with different groups, habits, and people. I belong to some of them.

We share experiences and talk a lot about art, meanings, and life in general. We organize some events and exhibitions.

There are many handbooks on the good and bad habits of artists. We want to give a "snapshot" of the life of our artists. What is a typical day in your life like?

I divide the days between my artistic work and Conservation and Restoration. I usually wake up and have my coffee (lots of coffee) and then get to work, both in my craft and the necessary logistics (answering emails, calls, scheduling). Likewise, I try to visit new places, so I can portray them in my artwork. I don't make art every day, I take a few days to rest and do other activities that make me happy, like sports, movies, or concerts.

Do you like visiting other art exhibitions, even emerging ones? Love galleries and museums? Have you visited other countries and seen contemporary art exhibitions?

I really like visiting art shows, museums, and galleries. I like meeting other artists and people who like art in general. Not only that, but I think it's great to know what other people are thinking, what they struggle with, and their opinions. It is important to change experiences and points of view. When I visit other countries, I try to visit as many contemporary exhibitions as possible, as I think it is very enriching to know how other artists and galleries work and I try to learn more and more about the processes.

By the River - Ana Camilo - Collective 20 - NNC Gallery London project

Some artists talk about inspiration. How do you find inspiration to create?

Is there a music, a place, a theme that inspires you more than others?

Traveling and getting to know new places is how I get inspired to create. I'm passionate about landscapes and places, I like to portray abandoned places that seem to have stopped in time.

I also always listen to music when I work.

What artistic projects do you have in the future? Are you working on something important?

I’m preparing a new series of works, that I’ll show at the end of this year.

We believe it is interesting for young aspiring artists to learn about the life of an artist.

Do you remember the first artistic work you did?

I have always loved to paint. Since I started very young, I don't remember the first artistic work I did.

The web and social networks are now an integral part of our lives.

What relationship do you have with them? What do you think of their relationship with the art world in recent years?

I don't like spending a lot of time online, but I know it's important, so I try to plan my web and social media. I think it's very important, as they can get closer to us and get closer to the art world.

The distance now seems minimal, and it's easier to change experiences, and get to know other artists, galleries, and collectors.

I think the web has made our lives easier but, on the other hand, it's easy to be continually overwhelmed with so much information.

Have you participated in group exhibitions in the past?

Have you personally organized exhibitions in the past with other artists?

Do you like collaborating with other artists, or do you prefer to work alone?

I have participated in several collective exhibitions and still do it, and I have also organized some exhibitions with other artists.

Although I usually work alone, I think collective exhibitions are a great way to share experiences, techniques, and points of view.

What is your favorite work in your production and why?

I can't choose a job. My art is about places and my experiences, so every work is important and has meaning, every work tells my story.

If you could show your work anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

Everywhere

Are you reading a book right now? Share it with our readers!

And what will be the next book you will read?

Livro do Desassossego, Fernando Pessoa One of my favorites, that I like to read occasionally. I’ve not decided yet what is the next book I’ll read.

Is there a famous contemporary artist who has influenced you or who you love and who you would like to point out to our readers?

There are several contemporary artists that inspire me, but most of them are not famous.

Sometimes we find distrust, naivety, superficiality, and sometimes even arrogance among emerging artists.

We ask for a small fee for applying to the challenge and our other calls for artists. This is a filter to check the correct attitude of the artist. We also have a fund to help artists in financial difficulty or working in developing countries. Once an artist has won our Final Challenge, he becomes our gallery artist. He is featured in our magazine and on our channels. What do you think about this?

I think is fair. You’re doing an amazing job.

Thanks Ana

Discover her works!

Info artist

https://www.nonamecollectivegallery.co.uk/portfolio-1/ana-camilo

Website http://www.anacamilo.com LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/ana-camilo Instagram: anacamilo.studio Facebook www.facebook.com/AnaCamilo.studio

The interview and 10 works by Ana can be found in the first volume of 2023

NNC MAG LONDON