MEET THE ARTIST: Madalena Pequito
Tell us how this passion for the world of art began.
My passion for art started as long as I remember existing. I don't know exactly when, but I've always been passionate about painting and also about other artistic areas, such as theater and dance. My parents enrolled me in a painting atelier when I was still quite small and every weekend I went with my mother to see an exhibition or do a workshop. I think that had a lot of impact on my journey.
How does your creative process work?
I let the current world influence my paintings. In fact, I use my practice to explore current issues from a very personal perspective. I am an extremely emotional person. Therefore, one of my ways of dealing with events and sharing my perspective on them is through artistic creation. It usually starts with an everyday event, it could be something I saw on the news, something that happened to me or someone I know. When something happens I feel the need to write about it. It is in this process that ideas for paintings arise. Writing and painting emerge as reflection, as an exposition of a problem, as criticism… Therefore, writing and image are related, but they are neither descriptive nor dependent on one another.
What are the elements that inspire you?
I am moved by color, contrasts, the unfinished vs finished, a recognizable image in a different context and in an abstract composition. I like industrial patterns like shipping containers, I like the shape of cobblestones, goats and really any kind of animal. These elements come up often.
In your art pieces you create different universes, full of fantasy. What do you try to express in your works?
My most common object of study is the present, and especially the crises we are experiencing, both humanitarian and climate. I am also interested in exploring the world of art and I question my role in all of this. These universes that I create turn out to be very personal reflections on different topics. Some even have a more comic or sarcastic character, others more hopeful. It depends on the mood I feel or want to convey.
How do you face creative challenges in your work?
I don't feel that there is a huge creative challenge, I always want to be in the studio. I usually know what I want to talk or paint about. If I'm in a phase where I'm not painting as much, I write more. I go to a lot of exhibitions too and I like to surround myself with other artists. So there always ends up being something that motivates another. Furthermore, I think that artistic practice also comes from a lot of work and desire, not from a sudden inspiration.
What are the artists that inspired you?
Many… but here's a list of artists I quickly came to mind: John Akomfrah, Frank Bowling, Gabriele Graesle, Johanna Mirabel, Peter Doig, Camila Cesarini - Armadilly, Dexter Dalwood, Ekaterina Popova, David Hockney, Ana Malta - NUMPARA, Maria by Brito Matias and Paula Rego.
Do you have a recent project or work that you would like to share?
I have one that I will announce soon. As soon as I can I will disclose with great enthusiasm.
You are a young artist, do you have any advice you would like to share with young people who are taking their first steps in the world of art?
I think the artistic environment is difficult, often unfair, often opaque. An artistic career is also unstable and we constantly need other works to sustain our practice, which takes up time when we could be in the studio. I feel that in order to live in this environment it is necessary to clear the way and that I still haven't explored almost anything. The only thing I know is that there's a huge gratification in doing this and I think it's that gratification that drives artists. It is often that gratification and desire that we have to grasp, when it seems that we are not going to be able to move forward with our career. It's going on and on.
Finally, which artist do you dream of working with one day?
I had never thought about this… who wants to work with me. I am always available for collaborations and new ideas.
