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Interview With Artist
Vanessa Longo
Mythical Creatures, Monsters and Minotaurs, Sea Serpents and Sirens surface and surprise you with seductive magical musings from a time far far in the past.
“I am the caterpillar that will never be you. I die between your beautiful butterfly wings”
These are a few impressions that come to mind when viewing the art of Vanessa Longo.
Hermana. I stand by you, sister, when the wind goes down.
TNYO: Vanessa, it is truly my pleasure to have the opportunity to speak with you about your art and your life.
I am here in my office and was suddenly struck by the inspiration to light several candles to allow the glow of the computer screen and the candlelight to wash over me in this otherwise pitch black room.
Your art speaks to me of distant lands and dangerously irresistible characters you have
my attention and have sparked my imagination.
TNYO: First question: Where are you from?
Vanessa Longo: I come from Treviso, close to Venice. l moved to Florence 2005
TNYO: Please tell us about your travels since a young age through Europe and how this has led you to paint the way you do?
Are you deeply connected to history and mythology both Greek and Italian, and to medieval bestiaries?
I am here in my office and was suddenly struck by the inspiration to light several candles to allow the glow of the computer screen and the candlelight to wash over me in this otherwise pitch black room.
Your art speaks to me of distant lands and dangerously irresistible characters you have
my attention and have sparked my imagination.
TNYO: First question: Where are you from?
Vanessa Longo: I come from Treviso, close to Venice. l moved to Florence 2005
TNYO: Please tell us about your travels since a young age through Europe and how this has led you to paint the way you do?
Are you deeply connected to history and mythology both Greek and Italian, and to medieval bestiaries?
With little faith, the new stars of the abyss swim again
Vanessa Longo: My paintings are inspired by the Medieval mythology, and other pagan subjects. They also take a leaf out of the imaginary realm of dragons, gargoyles and other beastly creatures.
For centuries, both, the grotesques and gargoyles were used as protective figures which chase away evil spirits. They are mostly guardians of churches and cathedrals.
My research started in Italy. There are few examples to which l was inspired by, from the gargoyles of the Milan cathedral to “il Boccalone”, one of the scariest gargoyles of the Florence cathedral.
After travelling around Italy, l felt the need to explore more and I then extended my research abroad. The most famous examples of gargoyles are those on the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, they are also the most magnificent, but l also was really attracted to particular subjects, although less famous, like the gargoyle on the tallest cathedral in Switzerland,
Bern Minster. It is a unique gargoyle which is a stone mason bent in despair, holding a hammer.
For centuries, both, the grotesques and gargoyles were used as protective figures which chase away evil spirits. They are mostly guardians of churches and cathedrals.
My research started in Italy. There are few examples to which l was inspired by, from the gargoyles of the Milan cathedral to “il Boccalone”, one of the scariest gargoyles of the Florence cathedral.
After travelling around Italy, l felt the need to explore more and I then extended my research abroad. The most famous examples of gargoyles are those on the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, they are also the most magnificent, but l also was really attracted to particular subjects, although less famous, like the gargoyle on the tallest cathedral in Switzerland,
Bern Minster. It is a unique gargoyle which is a stone mason bent in despair, holding a hammer.
Divine Cobs
TNYO: You give very long titles to your paintings. Why?
Vanessa Longo: My gallerist Max Laniado says the same...he patiently translates every title. I think this
is harder than selling a picture!
As my pictures express my feelings, l desire that the titles do exactly the same. Most of the times, l choose them after finished the painting, l look what l made and write down what it suggests to me
TNYO: What is the message that you want to transmit through your art?
Vanessa Longo: Each time is different; it depends how l feel, what happened in my life. I feel that big issues are to try to accept who you are and live your life in the way it makes you feel good because you are the only one who knows it.
I refuse what society defines as normal life, or normal family because most of the times that pushes you to make wrong choices for you. To live your life in the way your family, society or friends think it is best for you will just frustrate you. Be happy to be what you are because you are unique and exceptional.
Vanessa Longo: My gallerist Max Laniado says the same...he patiently translates every title. I think this
is harder than selling a picture!
As my pictures express my feelings, l desire that the titles do exactly the same. Most of the times, l choose them after finished the painting, l look what l made and write down what it suggests to me
TNYO: What is the message that you want to transmit through your art?
Vanessa Longo: Each time is different; it depends how l feel, what happened in my life. I feel that big issues are to try to accept who you are and live your life in the way it makes you feel good because you are the only one who knows it.
I refuse what society defines as normal life, or normal family because most of the times that pushes you to make wrong choices for you. To live your life in the way your family, society or friends think it is best for you will just frustrate you. Be happy to be what you are because you are unique and exceptional.
Stormy Hair
TNYO: Can you speak of matters of the heart and spirit and how they affect your life and your work
Vanessa Longo: As my pictures are the expression of my soul, of course heart and spirit are deeply related to my painting life, even when l am thinking to express some concept far from my reality. l always realize that l put
a piece of me on my work.
TNYO: Can you speak of matters of the heart and spirit and how they affect your life and your work
Vanessa Longo: As my pictures are the expression of my soul, of course heart and spirit are deeply related to my painting life, even when l am thinking to express some concept far from my reality. l always realize
that l put a piece of me on my work.
Vanessa Longo: As my pictures are the expression of my soul, of course heart and spirit are deeply related to my painting life, even when l am thinking to express some concept far from my reality. l always realize that l put
a piece of me on my work.
TNYO: Can you speak of matters of the heart and spirit and how they affect your life and your work
Vanessa Longo: As my pictures are the expression of my soul, of course heart and spirit are deeply related to my painting life, even when l am thinking to express some concept far from my reality. l always realize
that l put a piece of me on my work.
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The found love of the marsupial narcissus
TNYO: Do you believe in magic and magical practices.
Vanessa Longo: l believe in the energy inside all of us. It becomes a kind of magic when you, human, watch what your hands do just as a viewer, creating a new world that only exist in your soul, expressing what you are not able to do trough words.
TNYO: I think women are the much stronger gender do you agree?
Vanessa Longo: Potentially we are, we can create life.
But sometimes it is a kind of private prison. Society, religion, family and friends they say that is the only way for respectable life, so you get convinced that it is the same for you, even if you do not feel it, you will feel strange, wrong, and alone while you do not choose to do the same.
I think there should be a stronger reason to make an important choice like this. We still feel too judged if we decide to live following our heart and feelings; we are still not self-confident and strong enough to feel free in this sense. Unfortunately these are perfect conditions where illness grown up.
TNYO: What mediums do you work in?
Vanessa Longo: I work with acrylic painting, pencil, copper foil and nails on wood panels
TNYO: Where do the women in your paintings come from?
Vanessa Longo: It is always me
TNYO: Were you always an artist?
Vanessa Longo: I literally started drawing before speaking. My parents brought me to the doctor because, after two years of life, l did not speak nor walk. I would just eat and draw. Doctors said l simply was lazy, and that l was just doing what l liked: eating and drawing. It is still the same
TNYO: If you were not an artist what would you be?
Vanessa Longo: I could be a good lawyer or a bad teacher
Vanessa Longo: l believe in the energy inside all of us. It becomes a kind of magic when you, human, watch what your hands do just as a viewer, creating a new world that only exist in your soul, expressing what you are not able to do trough words.
TNYO: I think women are the much stronger gender do you agree?
Vanessa Longo: Potentially we are, we can create life.
But sometimes it is a kind of private prison. Society, religion, family and friends they say that is the only way for respectable life, so you get convinced that it is the same for you, even if you do not feel it, you will feel strange, wrong, and alone while you do not choose to do the same.
I think there should be a stronger reason to make an important choice like this. We still feel too judged if we decide to live following our heart and feelings; we are still not self-confident and strong enough to feel free in this sense. Unfortunately these are perfect conditions where illness grown up.
TNYO: What mediums do you work in?
Vanessa Longo: I work with acrylic painting, pencil, copper foil and nails on wood panels
TNYO: Where do the women in your paintings come from?
Vanessa Longo: It is always me
TNYO: Were you always an artist?
Vanessa Longo: I literally started drawing before speaking. My parents brought me to the doctor because, after two years of life, l did not speak nor walk. I would just eat and draw. Doctors said l simply was lazy, and that l was just doing what l liked: eating and drawing. It is still the same
TNYO: If you were not an artist what would you be?
Vanessa Longo: I could be a good lawyer or a bad teacher
Sleeping in my Orangutan
TNYO: Looking back, what was the most influential event in your life?
Vanessa Longo: I always reject to mention this event. l thought it was something to feel ashamed of. Since l had convinced myself that it was an important part of my life, it changed me in what l am.
l started feel better as l realized that accepting this event meant to be totally focused on me. I also decide to tell you about this fact because this experience is deeply connected to my paintings.
I tell you how:
I have always been focused on women.
At the beginning my women were warriors fighting with lances and swords.
In my imagination, warrior women were battling against big monsters.
I’ve been painting self-portraits for the past 20 years, where I used to depict myself without hair, fighting beastly creatures on red background. The characters were afraid, aggressive, and anxious.
People used to ask me why l only used red color, why l was only painting bold women. I had no answer; l was just expressing how l felt inside and could not change it.
Five years ago everything changed. I found out that l had a brain tumor; so l decided that l wanted to get rid of it immediately.
While l was in the hospital, l painted a new picture.
Yellow background, plenty of hair woman was the subject. l felt that all that illness inside of me was finally out my head.
My new paintings were very different, everybody noticed the huge difference. But again it was something l had not decided or was not aware of.
These monsters were inside of my mind; my soul was trying to scream through painting that something was wrong.
Monsters are still part of my life, but now l feel that l have accepted them, and live in peace
with this part of me. My personal battle is over.
I am telling you this story because I’d like to share the Magic of Painting with you.
Vanessa Longo: I always reject to mention this event. l thought it was something to feel ashamed of. Since l had convinced myself that it was an important part of my life, it changed me in what l am.
l started feel better as l realized that accepting this event meant to be totally focused on me. I also decide to tell you about this fact because this experience is deeply connected to my paintings.
I tell you how:
I have always been focused on women.
At the beginning my women were warriors fighting with lances and swords.
In my imagination, warrior women were battling against big monsters.
I’ve been painting self-portraits for the past 20 years, where I used to depict myself without hair, fighting beastly creatures on red background. The characters were afraid, aggressive, and anxious.
People used to ask me why l only used red color, why l was only painting bold women. I had no answer; l was just expressing how l felt inside and could not change it.
Five years ago everything changed. I found out that l had a brain tumor; so l decided that l wanted to get rid of it immediately.
While l was in the hospital, l painted a new picture.
Yellow background, plenty of hair woman was the subject. l felt that all that illness inside of me was finally out my head.
My new paintings were very different, everybody noticed the huge difference. But again it was something l had not decided or was not aware of.
These monsters were inside of my mind; my soul was trying to scream through painting that something was wrong.
Monsters are still part of my life, but now l feel that l have accepted them, and live in peace
with this part of me. My personal battle is over.
I am telling you this story because I’d like to share the Magic of Painting with you.
The inacceptable lightness of the woman musician playing a cordless harp
TNYO: What are your dreams for the future?
Vanessa longo: Painting, travel around the world, take care of my vegetable garden and my nails collection
TNYO: What is your spirit animal?
Vanessa Longo: A lobster, because it lives for over one hundred years, is blue-blooded like
aristocrats, and stay fertile all its live. I also like the sea very much. (quote)
TNYO: Are you married or in a relationship?
Vanessa Longo: No
TNYO: Where do you currently make your art.
Vanessa longo: Painting, travel around the world, take care of my vegetable garden and my nails collection
TNYO: What is your spirit animal?
Vanessa Longo: A lobster, because it lives for over one hundred years, is blue-blooded like
aristocrats, and stay fertile all its live. I also like the sea very much. (quote)
TNYO: Are you married or in a relationship?
Vanessa Longo: No
TNYO: Where do you currently make your art.
Hybrid II
Vanessa Longo: In my studio based in Florence
TNYO: Who are some of your favorite artists?
Vanessa Longo: Egon Schiele, Frida Kahlo, Balthus, Gustave Klimt, Andrea Mantegna, James Ensor, Hieronymus Bosch, Séraphine de Senlis, Caravaggio, Henri Rousseau, Marc Chagall, Lucian Freud, Hans Ruedi Giger, Gilbert & George, El Greco, Masaccio, Edvard Munch, Antonio Ligabue, Emil Nolde
TNYO: Vanessa, you have taken part in numerous prestigious art shows all around the world. What was the most important and most rewarding moment in your career?
Vanessa Longo: The most prestigious was during 2009 when l have been invited to take part at the famous ‘Carrousel du Louvre’ in Paris. It has been also very exciting because l won a special award from the jury of
“Nationale des Beaux Arts”, who organized the event.
The most rewarding was the "Sacred Homeland", the fourth He Shun International Art Festival, at He Shun in Shan Xi, China, supported by: The Government of He Shun County Shan Xi Province.
I had been invited during 2017 as the Italian representative at the festival. My painting has then been selected to be part of the permanent collection of the Museum. The Government had organized a huge event treating
every artist as very very important person...
TNYO: Who are some of your favorite artists?
Vanessa Longo: Egon Schiele, Frida Kahlo, Balthus, Gustave Klimt, Andrea Mantegna, James Ensor, Hieronymus Bosch, Séraphine de Senlis, Caravaggio, Henri Rousseau, Marc Chagall, Lucian Freud, Hans Ruedi Giger, Gilbert & George, El Greco, Masaccio, Edvard Munch, Antonio Ligabue, Emil Nolde
TNYO: Vanessa, you have taken part in numerous prestigious art shows all around the world. What was the most important and most rewarding moment in your career?
Vanessa Longo: The most prestigious was during 2009 when l have been invited to take part at the famous ‘Carrousel du Louvre’ in Paris. It has been also very exciting because l won a special award from the jury of
“Nationale des Beaux Arts”, who organized the event.
The most rewarding was the "Sacred Homeland", the fourth He Shun International Art Festival, at He Shun in Shan Xi, China, supported by: The Government of He Shun County Shan Xi Province.
I had been invited during 2017 as the Italian representative at the festival. My painting has then been selected to be part of the permanent collection of the Museum. The Government had organized a huge event treating
every artist as very very important person...
More human than you, man. (Museum Shan Xi, China)
TNYO: Can you tell us a little about your painting process
Vanessa Longo: The pictorial is made by acrylic, after that phase l introduce the copper foil, usually l draw on a surface, alternating pencils and awls, then l add tinfoil cutouts assembled to form figures on the existing design.
These figures are then literally nailed onto a wooden board, suggesting other plays of lines and colors
TNYO: When working how important is music to your process?
Vanessa Longo: Usually, l am very focused on my painting; so listening to music it is not
that essential to me. Most of the time, l opt for classical music.
TNYO: Vanessa we thank you for your contributions to world of art, can you give
our readers a music pick to listen to while viewing your art?
Vanessa Longo:
Grace by Jeff Buckley
Vanessa Longo: The pictorial is made by acrylic, after that phase l introduce the copper foil, usually l draw on a surface, alternating pencils and awls, then l add tinfoil cutouts assembled to form figures on the existing design.
These figures are then literally nailed onto a wooden board, suggesting other plays of lines and colors
TNYO: When working how important is music to your process?
Vanessa Longo: Usually, l am very focused on my painting; so listening to music it is not
that essential to me. Most of the time, l opt for classical music.
TNYO: Vanessa we thank you for your contributions to world of art, can you give
our readers a music pick to listen to while viewing your art?
Vanessa Longo:
Grace by Jeff Buckley
Black Soul (Private collection USA)
Black Soul (Detail)
Little Marnie (Private collection)