Congratulations to Sabrina Milazzo for earning her place as a Finalist in the Boynes Artist Award 10th Edition!

Who are you?

I am Sabrina Milazzo, born in Turin, Italy in 1975. After attending art high school I enrolled and graduated with top marks from the Academy of Fine Arts in Turin.

At first I thought about teaching but I immediately realized that teaching would take too many hours away from what was my primary interest, that of painting and being an artist.

What inspired you to utilize painting as a medium?

Oil painting is my favorite medium, I remember that when I was still in the academy I was the first in my course to use this medium. I was attracted by the fullness of the color, the body of the oil paint and its ability to give excellent results even with just two layers of color. Oil painting allows me to create paintings that make things that don't exist seem real, it allows me to demonstrate what can be done with this medium by combining tenacity and passion.

How would you describe your ARTwork?

The facets of my works are many, ranging from very colorful and sunny paintings to more atmospheric, more intimate paintings. The common thread of all is to immerse the viewer in a timeless reality, bringing out the most playful part of those who approach the painting. The appearance of the subjects represented is always very three-dimensional, making the subject seem to emerge from the canvas to be a sculpture.

Can you discuss the inspiration and thought process behind your finalist work?

Currently my paintings are inspired by Ledraplastic puppets, from Disney ones to Metro Goldwyn Mayer ones. The finalist work is inspired by the character Lillo, son of Lady and the Tramp, Disney's 1955 animated film.

The painted puppet does not appear as we remember them but as if they were in the midst of a process of transformation and dissolution. What I convey through my interpretation of the Disney universe is the end of the enchantment, the illusions that all of us as children created watching these characters and their happy ending. The awareness, as adults, that most of our childhood dreams would remain such, and that they would never come true. I do not present myself as the author of this destruction but rather as a witness to this inevitable process.

Can you walk us through the technical steps of creating your finalist work?

The first phase of the work is the search for the subject, that is, the three-dimensional puppet. The second phase is preparing the covering and pouring it onto the puppet: I create a photographic set with headlights and colored lights and I try to take as many photographs as possible, trying to immortalize what will soon melt and disintegrate. Then I proceed by creating the project on the computer, choosing the best drops, covers and shapes from the various shots. So I create something impossible in reality, but still real. When the project satisfies me, the longest phase begins, that of creating the painting on the canvas with oil colors, which makes the painting look almost like a sculpture. This phase for an average framework lasts about a month.

What do you hope to communicate to an audience with your work?

My works have the intent to bring the viewer back to those universal values ​​already transmitted by Disney, such as courage, sharing, tolerance, fairness, friendship and love. This new contemporary skin that I cover puppets actually highlights the strength of the shapes, which remains intact and continues to transmit a message of positivity as if to represent the ability of strong "values" not to succumb, managing to emerge. The pursuit of happiness is often tortuous and long in every age and for every individual. A constant is to find relief in the world of fairy tales and dreams that become a sort of airlock that changes skin but never loses its strength and intensity.

Can you discuss your biggest success since starting your artistic journey?

To date my greatest success has been exhibiting, with one of the galleries that represent me, at the Context fair in Miami, I consider it a great success because I think that my work is right for the American public who still appreciates figurative art very much , then going outside your own boundaries is a stimulating experience, seeing the reactions of a heterogeneous, constructive audience.

Can you share with us the best piece of advice you have received so far?

The best advice is to believe in what you do and not lose heart if the results don't arrive immediately. A lot of perseverance and willpower goes into this job.

What projects are you working on currently?

I am currently working on a canvas representing Minnie, there is a small novelty in this painting, the background is not just a background but an integral part of the painting.

What is your dream project or piece you hope to accomplish?

I don't have a particular project, but I would like to work with an important international gallery that allows me to exhibit my paintings perhaps even at world-wide fairs such as Art Basel or Frieze Art Fair and to develop increasingly important projects.

As a finalist, do you have any advice for artists who want to submit to awards, competitions, residencies, etc.?

I would tell future candidates not to judge themselves by thinking that a competition is too important for them, and not to lose heart if they are not selected, but to try and try again.

Lastly, I like to ask everyone what advice they would give to their fellow artists, what is your advice?

I would say to believe in your dreams and try to make them come true knowing that there will be many difficulties to face, especially economic, especially at the beginning of your career,

However, as in all things, a lot of luck is also needed. Whoever lasts wins!

To view more of Sabrina Milazzo

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