Meet Giovanna Bartoli | Creative, Artist, Passionate.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Giovanna Bartoli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Giovanna, why did you pursue a creative career?
My choice to pursue an artistic career has been driven by the profound connection I’ve always had with art and the need to express my inner world through creativity. I find inspiration in every corner of life and aim to convey complex emotions and abstract concepts through my work.

Creating art is a process that nurtures me and allows me to explore the depths of my soul. Every brushstroke or stroke is a form of communication that goes beyond words, a way to share experiences, reflections, and unique visions. I am committed to challenging myself, seeking new perspectives, and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

Of course, there are challenges in the artistic journey, but it is through these challenges that I find growth and evolution. I am grateful to be able to share my work with the world and hope it can inspire and connect with others in ways that transcend words.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I don’t remember when I first got the idea of pursuing art, I just know that I’ve always drawn with a passion that takes me out of time and is vital to my imagination. I’ve always loved art, especially painting, although I’ve also dabbled in sculpture, achieving my first international success back in 1989 (a bronze tile for the fantasy Fountain Found, which can be seen at the entrance of the Saint John the Divine park in New York). I studied Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Carrara, but my interests primarily include ancient Egypt. I have a degree in Egyptology and I’ve conducted excavations in Egypt with the University of Pisa. Recently, I’ve been experimenting with digital art, especially 3D modeling and video games. I’ve collaborated with the MICC at the University of Florence on a virtual reality Serious Game, created to assist doctors in the emergency room and to prepare an operating room. My journey hasn’t been easy, and in Italy, it’s even more challenging because art is not always recognized as a profession. Nevertheless, my dedication led me to win a highly prestigious national award, the Basilio Cascella Award, where for the first time in 50 years, a female artist swept all the recognitions: jury, audience, and critics. It was a tremendous satisfaction.
Being an artist is particularly challenging, especially when you don’t have a stable financial foundation that allows you to solely focus on creating art. I don’t give up, even though there are periods of complete blackout, sometimes related to events happening in the world that an artistic sensitivity unwittingly internalizes. My dream would be to find a patron who is passionate about art and beauty, someone who believes in my art and supports me. Perhaps it’s a forbidden dream!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am fortunate to live in Italy, which despite all its problems, is one of the most beautiful and artistically rich places. If an American friend were to visit me, I could take them to the Cinque Terre in Lunigiana with its ancient churches and castles, to the marble quarries of Carrara. Then, venturing a bit further, living in Tuscany, we could explore Lucca, Pisa, Florence, Siena, and so on, never getting tired of seeing wonderful things that always surprise. Personally, I have a soft spot for nearby Umbria, where there are marvelous places and the ancient roots of the Etruscan people. I adore Cortona, a small town perched on a hill that offers a breathtaking panorama. When it comes to eating and drinking, the choices are endless, from the traditional cuisine that each region of Italy offers to the best wines in the world.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
would like to dedicate my recognition to my husband, Andrea Podenzana, who has always believed in me and encouraged me despite all the difficulties.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giovanna.bartoli/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giovanna-bartoli-51237332/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giovannabartoliart/