What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
I am working on two works of art simultaneously, one that reflects the peace that can be found in moments of solitude and another that speaks a little more to how I see the world.
What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on it?
In these past few months, I've learned something that, although it seems obvious, I need to constantly remind myself of: don't give up, don't stop, don't hold back, even when things don't go as planned or the results don't come as quickly as I'd like. Keep going, because with time, everything begins to transform. Work that starts as one thing often changes course, points us in new directions, and, on more than one occasion, ends up being better than the initial idea. I've also learned—or rather, unlearned—not to speak badly to myself. To treat myself with respect, to be patient with my processes, my ideas, everything.
What words, ideas or emotions were going through your head?
I moved to Berlin two years ago, and the process hasn't been straightforward: it's been challenging, sometimes difficult, and occasionally a bit lonely. In a city so full of everything, yet often lacking in color, I've found inspiration to create my own universe, my own fantasy. Sometimes as a response—and sometimes as a mockery—of the idea of "manifesting." Because while it's true that I like to believe in it, I also see it as something comical and fantastical, with enormous potential, especially given the current global political climate.
Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
Undoubtedly, I've spent countless walks through the streets of Berlin: amidst nature, graffiti, chaos, and diversity. Always accompanied by music—a lot of jazz, like Berlioz or Piero Umiliani, and classical music in general. Photography and fashion are also essential parts of my creative process; pop culture and graphic design are reflected both in the images I share on Instagram and in what I enjoy painting. In my studio, sound is another constant companion: I like to listen to the radio, and here in Berlin, I've found a daily presence in the classical music station that accompanies me while I work.
What's been the most difficult thing you've faced recently in your creative process?
Believing in myself. This has always been difficult for me—believing that I can, that I will succeed, understanding that things take time, work, effort, connections, understanding that life is sometimes about moving forward with fear, but moving towards where we want to go. It's more worthwhile to move forward with fear than to remain stagnant for fear of failure.
What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
One of my favorite places in Berlin is Monsieur Vuong, it's Vietnamese food and the dish I always order is the Grünes Curry Dau accompanied by a good beer.
If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
It would be called “Coming back to life” and the soundtrack would be a mix between Rusowsky, Kali Uchis, Bomba Estéreo and surely some Bad Bunny would sneak in there.
Recommend us an artist you follow who inspires you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
Zsófia Keresztes, Miranda Makaroff and Gustav Westman are young artists who deeply inspire me. In them, I've found a shared semantic field, a narrative that resonates with the direction my art is taking. They remind me of the importance of not taking things so seriously, of learning through play, and of creating the art we believe in. They are artists who move away from the "common" and who, today, are making a strong impact on the art world.
I'm a visual communicator by profession, I've worked in graphic design for years, and art has always been a part of my life. I currently live in Berlin, where I continue to strive to make a name for myself in the art world.