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"That’s another
inspiration
for my artwork
as well.
The
feeling
I get
from
being
in
Newham
is amazing.
I feel happy here."
In the final part of our interview with Antonietta, we discover her interest in Nigeria, the impact she hopes her work will achieve amongst young people, why Newham holds a special place in her heart, and future projects she is working on.
And so the conversation continues …
Yaaya:
Looking into the future, what impact would you like your work to have on others?
Antonietta T:
I would like it to have a big impact on young people, but that is where the role of my art workshops would come in. My business would be split up into two sections. It would be the workshops, and the textiles and art side. I want to be an ambassador for art, for young people. That’s what I want to do. How was that? Shall I add anything else?
Yaaya:
(Laughs) That was perfect! We like your last sentence very much. “I want to be an ambassador for art for young people.”
Where would be your dream location or exhibition to showcase your work?
Where would be your dream location or exhibition to showcase your work?
Antonietta T:
Somewhere in Africa.
Yaaya:
Is there a particular country you have in mind?
Antonietta T:
Nigeria I think.
Yaaya:
Why Nigeria?
Antonietta T:
I haven’t been there, but I have a lot of friends from there, and they always bring back clothes or things they’ve bought from there, and I’m just like “wow!” The designs on [the clothes] are so crazy. They talk about what they did when they were on holiday, and how they went to fashion events, and how the fashion scene is buzzing right now. Nigeria would be a great place for me to go, especially since my work is contemporary as well. It would really work well out there.
Yaaya:
You seem to be quite a cultured person that interested in your heritage, family, culture, Africa etc. Where does this come from?
Antonietta T:
I’m not sure. I’ve always been a person that thrives on visual images. Even if I sit here and close my eyes, I see lots of flashing images! If I’m trying to describe something to someone, I describe it in such a visual way. I wouldn’t say turn left or turn right. Also I love bright colours, so that’s where my love of African textiles come from.
From a young age, I have thought that everyone should embrace where they are from. Also, growing up in Newham is just so multicultural and I really enjoy living here because of that. Everyone has something different to bring to the place that they are living in, and it’s nice to live in a place where people live in harmony together. That’s another inspiration for my artwork as well. The feeling I get from being in Newham is amazing. I feel happy here. You do get the odd racist person, but there is hardly any of that in Newham. Everyone mixes, everyone knows people from different cultures, there are lots of mixed families, so it’s a nice place to live.
From a young age, I have thought that everyone should embrace where they are from. Also, growing up in Newham is just so multicultural and I really enjoy living here because of that. Everyone has something different to bring to the place that they are living in, and it’s nice to live in a place where people live in harmony together. That’s another inspiration for my artwork as well. The feeling I get from being in Newham is amazing. I feel happy here. You do get the odd racist person, but there is hardly any of that in Newham. Everyone mixes, everyone knows people from different cultures, there are lots of mixed families, so it’s a nice place to live.
Yaaya:
What projects are you currently working on?
Antonietta T:
I’m working on a project that is exploring my dad’s Italian heritage. I’ve only just started doing sketches of images I took last year in Italy. I produced a sketch of my grandma. She’s a farmer so she’s quite strong. I thought that would be an interesting basis for my art work, because I would be exploring concepts like strength in women.
Also there is a town in the mountains where my dad’s family is from called Valva in Naples, and you can see it from where my grandma lives now. My mum bought me a new lense for my camera so you can see the town clearly, and so I was able to take a really good photo of the town. I was drawing different sketches and playing with colours. I initially did the sketches in black and white but didn’t like it. My work is not black and white as my aesthetic is very experimental with colour. So I had to adapt it, and bring out myself in my work, and make it more contemporary and interesting.
Also there is a town in the mountains where my dad’s family is from called Valva in Naples, and you can see it from where my grandma lives now. My mum bought me a new lense for my camera so you can see the town clearly, and so I was able to take a really good photo of the town. I was drawing different sketches and playing with colours. I initially did the sketches in black and white but didn’t like it. My work is not black and white as my aesthetic is very experimental with colour. So I had to adapt it, and bring out myself in my work, and make it more contemporary and interesting.
Yaaya:
How is the project progressing?
Antonietta T:
I’ve stopped a bit because it’s hard when you delve into family issues, and you start contemplating about things. I keep stalling but I need to do it because it’s really important. I never met my paternal grandfather, so its kind of hard and emotional. When I found out he (paternal grandfather) passed away I was really sad as I never met him, but at the same time I wasn’t upset because I didn’t know him. That’s when I thought I need to express this through art.
Yaaya:
Where can we see some of your work?
Antonietta T:
You can see it at KPMG, however it’s a private exhibition. I think they will open it up soon, so when I find out I will let you know. You can see my work at Kamba Gallery in Great Antiques Market in Mayfair.
You can also see my work in Number 8. It’s a shop in Forest Gate opposite the train station. It’s an emporium, so they sell different types of things like vintage items, plates, vases and other random things. They also sell artists work, my work and two other artists are being sold there. It’s a little shop, but they have so many things.
You can also see my work in Established, which is a pop up shop in Westfield, Stratford City. It’s one of the shops outside.
You can also see my work in Number 8. It’s a shop in Forest Gate opposite the train station. It’s an emporium, so they sell different types of things like vintage items, plates, vases and other random things. They also sell artists work, my work and two other artists are being sold there. It’s a little shop, but they have so many things.
You can also see my work in Established, which is a pop up shop in Westfield, Stratford City. It’s one of the shops outside.
Yaaya:
So we can see your work in a lot of places?
Antonietta T:
Antonietta T: Yes. There will be some more places coming up soon though, but I can’t think of any more at the moment!
Yaaya:
We'd like to end this interview by asking you to complete a few sentences. So let's begin!
Art is important because ...
Art is important because ...
Antonietta T:
It’s a way for people to express their feelings without speaking.
Yaaya:
If I wasn’t an artist I would be ...
Antonietta T:
A wedding planner. It’s so random! (Laughs)
Yaaya:
Living in the UK feels ...
Antonietta T:
It feels good to live in the UK because you have a lot of opportunities even if you don’t think about it straight way. You meet so many different people, as people come from all over the world to live here and start new lives. The U.K is a really interesting place because of that. You can find everything and everywhere here. I love it!
Yaaya:
Yaaya to me represents ...
Antonietta T:
A platform for women to inspire others.
This post concludes our interview with Antonietta Torsiello. Share with us your thoughts on Antonietta’s journey and future ambitions!
Catch-up on the earlier parts of our conversation:
Part 1: Antonietta Torsiello, Newham’s Rising Artist
Part 2: Navigating The World Of Art: Being Young, Female And Black
Image Source | These images do not belong to Yaaya. Images courtesy of Antonietta Torsiello.
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