Congratulations to Daniella Queirolo who has earned her place as a Finalist in the 4th Edition!

who are you?

I was born in Lima Peru. Later on, I moved to Philadelphia to study art at Temple University.  I had the opportunity then to live in different cosmopolitan cities like New York, London, Lisbon, and Buenos Aires. The experience of living in those different places and cultures has deeply influenced the style of my paintings, which depict my passion for all forms of art, such as performance, music, dance, and architecture. 

After returning to my hometown, I entered a stage of ceaseless searching which drove me to experiment with abstraction and ended in my reconnection with my estranged figurative roots. In doing so, I finally achieved that longed-for connection with my art, painting the human body while in motion, in a theatrical environment, or surrounded by nature.

What inspired you to begin working in painting?

I began painting as a child, and very early in life, I showed an affinity for drawing and painting figures in motion, such as horses. I haven’t stopped since then and to this day continue to pursue energy and movement in my paintings.

Can you explain why you choose painting as a medium for your work and voice as opposed to others?

Facing an empty white canvas requires bravery followed by decisive brush strokes, splashes, and expressive marks. With traditional media, I can express myself not only in figurative terms but especially in an expressionistic style.

Nonetheless, I borrow from other art forms since at Art school I had to explore different subjects such as sculpture, photography, and printmaking. Nowadays, for example, I use photographs as references in my process. In doing so, capturing movement without losing details is not an easy task when taking those pictures. Printmaking foundations are present as well at the moment of applying textures.

Can you discuss the inspiration behind “I'm Light”?

I’m light”, as many of my paintings,  depicts a strong, free, empowered woman who fights for her dreams with beauty and grace.  Personally, I had to take a pause in my career to raise a special needs son, and it wasn’t easy to start over and fulfill my dreams. I had to put aside my fears and just like the character in “I’m light” it felt like I was jumping fearlessly towards emptiness. My aim is to offer inspiration to all women, hoping they will see that strong and free side of themselves on the canvas.  I also feel responsible for creating a dialogue, through my art, that will bring forth humanity and dignity in the human subject.

Your work seems to be a meeting of abstract and figurative techniques, what about this style of work intrigues you?

After experimenting with both figurative and abstract painting at different periods of my life, I have recently been pursuing their union when representing the human figure in motion. By juxtaposing different planes, materials, and styles, I intertwine the central figure with its surrounding background. This process helps me achieve the movement and energy I seek to portray.

What inspired you to explore such techniques for your work?

I find appealing the contrast between such different styles.

Lately in my process, the figurative style is mutating towards a more realistic one and the abstraction towards a more expressionistic style. By pushing them towards opposite extremes, it ends up being more antagonistic and more interesting in capturing movement and energy.

What projects are you working on currently? Can you discuss them?

I’m working on a series of dancers based on Latin American cultures, all of which have Hispanic roots. This cultural expression and its representatives have undergone difficult times during the pandemic. I want to give them a triumphant return and share them with the rest of the world so they can be appreciated.

Lastly, I would like to ask what advice you would give to your fellow artists/photographers?

The best advice I received myself once was to stop thinking too much and let my instincts flourish.  Like the characters in my paintings, that means being brave and unafraid of taking risks.  In the beginning, many attempts will end up discarded or repainted, and only after a great amount of hard work, one ends up achieving his/her own personal style.

To view more of Daniella Queirolo’s work

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