MUNTHE ART MONDAY ROSSANA BORZELLI
Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
I was born in Rome, where I have mostly lived; my artistic journey is rooted in a family tradition of highly creative Roman artisans – the Borzelli family of woodworkers – to which I later added painting studies and much more. I’ve been painting for over thirty years and, thanks to the positive feedback, painting has become my profession. For several years now, I have opened my own gallery in the center of Rome at Via del Gesù 69, where I exhibit my works and am pleased to host sculptor friends.
Rossana is wearing Prickly jacket and Powel pants.
Could you explain how being a woman has influenced your career?
I belong to a generation that fought to achieve milestones in women's emancipation. I’ve always been extremely attentive to the social and cultural realities of women in Italy and around the world, and my choices have led me to connect and collaborate with other female artists and gallery owners sensitive to these themes. I believe the female universe requires constant care and attention, not only to preserve the rights already gained but also to continue to grow and evolve in a rapidly changing world. That said, my work also drew considerable attention from a male audience as well.
What is the most challenging aspect of being a woman in the art world?
The art world is still fundamentally male-oriented. The credibility and acceptance given to female artists are definitely greater when the ‘gatekeepers’ are women; this is generally true and even more so when the artworks deal with themes related to the female experience.
Rossana is wearing Powel pants.
Can you name other women artists who inspire you and explain why?
My passion for art began very early, but I was only able to dedicate myself to it fully after making a radical life choice. The lives of great female artists from the past have been a source of inspiration. Learning about their strength and expressive power in a male-dominated art world gave me courage, changed my life, and gave me the strength to pursue this path. Over time, I have painted portraits of many of them, works that, for me, hold great intensity. Just to name a few: Camille Claudel, Valentine de Saint-Point, Lee Miller... Even in today's world, I’m drawn to many contemporary female artists; for example, the work of Marina Abramović, which digs deep and carries the absoluteness and power of a life wholly devoted to art. In general, what fascinates me is that each artist expresses her own unique voice and personal research, which together testify to the vitality and diversity of art in all its forms.
Rossana is wearing Prickly jacket and Powel pants.
What would you like people to notice in your artwork?
I consider myself a witness of my time, like all contemporary artists. I realize that today every artistic journey explores different modes and registers, and I believe they are all valid. I too have gone through various phases in my work: abstract, informal, protest art, set design... Now I primarily express myself through figurative images connected to human interiority; I love speaking about our fragility, our strength, our intimacy. Our museums are full of female subjects, but ninety percent of those portraits were painted by men. It’s time for women to portray themselves and each other, to better express their deepest soul.
Rossana is wearing Prickly jacket and Powel pants.
