Interview with Sonia Indelicato Roseval
Montreal artist Sonia Indelicato Roseval was born in Tunis, Tunisia in 1955. Inspired by and passionate about the architecture of Old Montreal, Roseval took on her first exhibit in the 1980's. It was at this exhibit that she met her future mentor and internationally renowned artist Francois Lortie.
Your rich cultural background, combining Italian, Polish, and Tunisian heritage, provides a unique perspective in your artwork. Could you delve into how these diverse cultural influences have shaped the thematic content and stylistic elements of your work? Additionally, could you provide specific instances or works where these influences are most prominently reflected?
My artwork is deeply influenced by my multicultural heritage, especially the Tunisian mosaics that I inherited from my mother. As a seamstress, she infused her craft with vibrant colors like orange, golden, and saffron, inspired by the Sahara, the Mediterranean, and the lively Kasbah and Souks. This is evident in my pastels and acrylics, where warm, rich hues dominate. My recent works in ink also reflect this mosaic influence, combined with inspiration from Japan. My father's Polish background as a scientist in organic skincare products encouraged my love for experimentation, pushing me to innovate and create beauty through various mediums.
The mentorship of François Lortie played a significant role in your artistic development, particularly in introducing you to acrylic painting and navigating the international art market. Could you elaborate on how this mentorship influenced your artistic techniques and overall approach? How did Lortie’s guidance help shape your career trajectory and artistic identity?
François Lortie’s mentorship was instrumental in my understanding of the international art market and the transformative use of acrylic paint. Through my apprenticeship, I learned to navigate and succeed in this space, significantly shaping my artistic techniques and approach.
Your extensive travels across the United States and internationally have deeply inspired your work, particularly your experiences in places like Monument Valley, the Oregon mountains, and the Bali rice fields. How do these specific landscapes and natural wonders translate into your pastels and acrylics? Can you discuss the creative process of transforming these environmental inspirations into visual art?
My creative process begins with an internal observation of the landscapes I encounter, transforming them into personal experiences that later materialize on my canvas. I have a logical and practical mind that seeks lines and curves in nature, while color selection is influenced by meditation. These experiences translate into my art through an intuitive blend of lines, curves, and vibrant colors, reflecting the essence of the places I've visited.
Growing up with a father who was a pioneering chemical engineer and a mother skilled in meticulous craftsmanship as a seamstress, you’ve had a unique upbringing that blends scientific curiosity and artistic precision. How do you incorporate these influences into your creative process and artistic methodology? Can you provide examples of works where this synthesis of science and art is most evident?
My recent mixed media and ink works are prime examples of the synthesis between science and art. I create my own inks using natural pigments from fruits, vegetables, and flowers, a practice inspired by my father’s scientific background. This unique blend of science and art was showcased in a contemporary work post mortem of my father’s formulas, published in a prestigious French journal.
Over the years, your artistic style has transitioned from chromatic abstractions to a distinctive blend of figurative representation and abstraction in your recent pastels. Can you discuss the pivotal moments or key works that marked these significant transitions in your artistic style? What motivated these changes, and how have they influenced your current work?
The transition in my artistic style was motivated by a desire to explore new dimensions and narratives within my art. Key works that marked these changes include my recent pastels that blend figurative representation with abstraction. This evolution reflects a deeper introspection and exploration of themes that resonate with my personal and artistic journey.
Your dedication to over three decades of meditation practice has undoubtedly influenced your creative process. How does this meditative practice manifest in your work, both thematically and stylistically? In what ways does meditation contribute to the tranquility and introspective qualities observed in your art?
Meditation influences my work through repetitive movements akin to mantras, informing the patterns and themes I explore. This practice brings a sense of tranquility and introspection to my art, allowing me to reflect the interconnectedness of all beings through delicate, lace-like patterns and harmonious compositions.
The communication between plants and trees is a recurring theme in your work, reflecting your fascination with the natural world. Could you elaborate on how this concept is visually represented in your art? What techniques do you use to capture the subtle interactions within nature, and how does this theme align with your broader artistic narrative?
I visually represent the communication between plants and trees by creating my own inks from natural sources and observing their interactions. These interactions, whether repulsive or harmonious, symbolize human interactions and consciousness. This theme aligns with my broader narrative of exploring the interconnectedness of life and the beauty found within these interactions.
Your piece “Organized Chaos” epitomizes the philosophy of finding order within disarray. How does your meticulously organized workspace facilitate this artistic philosophy? In what ways does this piece reflect your approach to balancing complexity and harmony in your work, and what does it reveal about your broader artistic vision?
"Organized Chaos" reflects my belief in underlying order within apparent disarray. My organized workspace allows me to balance complexity and harmony, revealing a meaningful consciousness in my art. This piece and my approach highlight my vision of finding beauty and purpose within chaos.
You employ a highly experimental approach to your art, continuously oscillating between different styles and methods. Could you detail your cyclical process of creation, reflection, and experimentation? How does this dynamic methodology enable you to tackle complex themes such as global consciousness and human connectivity? Can you provide examples of how this process has been applied in specific works or series?
My cyclical process involves constant movement between different styles and methods, much like a spiral. This approach allows me to explore complex themes like global consciousness and human connectivity. Examples include my inks, which represent larger movements, and my pastels, which depict more intimate explorations. This dynamic methodology ensures that my work remains innovative and deeply connected to the themes I explore.
Your works are featured in numerous private collections and have been exhibited widely across various prestigious galleries. How has this recognition and exposure influenced your artistic journey and professional growth? Can you discuss specific feedback or interactions with collectors and exhibitions that have significantly impacted your work and artistic development?
Recognition and exposure have significantly influenced my artistic journey, validating my work and encouraging further exploration. Feedback from collectors, such as comparisons to Georges Braque’s inks, has strengthened my convictions and guided my artistic development. These interactions have reinforced my commitment to exploring the intersection of social climate and spiritual direction in my work.
