Artist in conversation: Mara Bonofiglio
“ I draw inspiration from the beauty of creation and the natural and the blossoming of flowers symbolizing the essence of life.”
Mara is a contemporary artist whose creations are characterized by vibrant and powerful colours, drawing inspiration from the beauty of creation and the natural world. Her artwork depicts a harmonious, wonderful dance of life, with flowers and elements from both the earthly and aquatic realms gracefully emerging on the canvas. Mara's artistic journey is marked by a self-taught approach, complemented by her background in the fashion industry and art direction in prominent cities such as Milan, London, and Germany.
Mara works mainly with acrylic, combined with marker pen or pastel oil. She loves to give the background a sense of movement through the use of a palette knife. Through her art, she seeks to convey the inherent perfection of the world and of individuals. Her artwork showcases the blossoming of flowers from the eyes and mouths of humans, symbolizing the essence of life. Water, the source from which everything originates and to which everything returns, plays a significant role in her works. It is a carrier of information and a purifying force. Mara's ultimate goal is to bring harmony, joy, and noble thoughts to humanity, vividly expressed through the use of bright and bold colours.
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What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
Being an artist is ingrained in one’s soul from the very beginning. I have always been fascinated by colour, prints, fabrics, elegance, beauty, and majesty, which is why I immersed myself in the wonderful world of fashion for years. However, something was always missing - the brush and canvas. Sometimes I would take them up, but it wasn’t until 2020 when I finally found my calling on the canvas; depicting harmony, joy, and noble thoughts to the world. My unique style is always in development with me through each piece I create. It is not a deliberate study, but is more about capturing a connection and emotion between me, the colours, the canvas and the world around us. My signature technique involves using a palette knife to create a background and the powerful and vibrant colours always predominate on my artwork .
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
I draw inspiration from the beauty of creation and the natural and the blossoming of flowers symbolizing the essence of life. My artwork depicts a harmonious wonderful dance of life, with flowers and elements from both the earthly and aquatic realms gracefully emerging on the canvas. Through my art, I seek to convey the inherent perfection of the world and of individuals. This is to remind people that the world is interconnected, with the internal and external realms intertwined and what exists above also exists below. The Water, the source from which everything originates and to which everything returns, plays a significant role in my art work. It is a carrier of information and a purifying force.
How did your background in the fashion industry and art direction influence your approach to contemporary art?
Exploring the intersection of my fashion industry background and art direction experience has significantly shaped the way I now perceive and create contemporary art. Fashion is an ever-evolving sector, closely intertwined with art, creation and music. It’s a perpetual entertainment that offers a wealth of experiences, shaping my personal style with dynamism and vibes. The innovative perspectives, attention to detail, colors and trends research gained from my past endeavors continue to influence my current artistic approach, resulting in a unique and dynamic artistic style.
What challenges have you faced as a self-taught artist, and how have they shaped your artistic journey?
As a self-taught artist, facing challenges along the artistic path is inevitable. These challenges can range from mastering new techniques to managing the world outside your studio. However, overcoming these obstacles has played an important role in shaping not only my artistic abilities but my overall creative journey. I accept challenges, learn from experiences and push boundaries. This attitude that I have has allowed me to deepen my skills and grow as an artist. (The big challenge so far has been social media , and for this I am in your hands !!)
Can you discuss any specific pieces that have been particularly meaningful or impactful in your career, and why?
My artistic journey has been greatly influenced by the Koi Amur carp breed art wall. It had a profound impact on my career, and I owe a special thank you to my friend for introducing me to the Pisacane Art Gallery in Milan with this piece. Her support and encouragement so far have been instrumental in breaking barriers outside of my creative studio, push myself to success and fulfilment as an artist Koi Amur Carp is the love, the interconnection, the wonderful cooperation between ocean and heart exploding on a suspended surface like the cosmos, where everything could be built and everything is possible.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
It is effortless for me to not adopt them. I am open to feedback, but I choose to release it, holding only the positive aspects. With over 7 million individuals in the world, each with their unique creative perspectives and emotions, I believe in allowing freedom to motivate us towards positivity, while also anticipating that same positivity to return to me as I wish good things for everyone.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
I just remind myself that life is eternal. I stop , relax, take the best time for myself and let the inspirations flow back easily to me. Then I have my “ Secret Garden” !
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
I am very thankful for this opportunity with The Holy Art Gallery. I lived in London for some years, during which I used to stroll through East London in my leisure time, visiting the Exhibition Gallery. The city, especially East London, has greatly influenced me, and being able to showcase my artwork there is a significant accomplishment for me.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Having fun for sure ! As an artist, my aspirations revolve around showcasing my work through international exhibitions and art fairs. Furthermore, I aim to immerse myself in people’s lives , surround them with harmony, beauty and joy. Interior design and fashion fields would be a good channel to achieve this audience. However the nature of these goals will evolve and align with the dynamic nature of both my artistic journey and the art itself and let opportunity flow.
What role does emotion play in your creative process, and how do you aim to evoke specific feelings or reactions from those who view your drawings?
I just feed my artwork of love. All the emotions tied to love, will manifest on canvas and reach the mind and heart of each viewer feeding them with all the emotions related to love. ( harmony , calm, happiness, joy , strength , gratitude, health , dreams , eternity and more )
