Alessia Cors is an Italian artist who paints large scale portraits of people she meets during her travels and also the faces of women she finds interesting. Alessia uses acrylic color brushstrokes in an expressionist way to represent faces in an immersive experience. Due to the power of the human face, Alessia believes portrait painting is an extremely powerful practice.
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
I think abstract expressionism, fauvism and pop art are the movements I find more interesting and attractive for my work.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
I travel a lot and this is important for my art as I take inspiration from the people I meet, from other cultures. Then I paint when I go back to my studio in Italy.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
My creative process starts with connecting to the person I am painting. Before I start painting I’m usually a bit nervous and anxious, as I never know exactly how to start, and also because I know that every time I need to switch off a part of myself, the rational one, in order to make space for the emotional side, where my brain is silent, and to let my inner consciousness emerge.
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
The artist I admire most in the world is Jenny Saville. I don’t think many words are necessary to describe her genius. I saw her last show in Florence and...nothing, she’s stunning.
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
I would travel non stop all over the world, discovering the most hidden places far from any form of civilization
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
I love quite different kinds of music, from pop to chill out, classic, Latin or even house. It depends on the moment.
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
Offhand, I’d say a Rothko.
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
Well. that’s the MoMA.
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
If you are truly passionate about your art, the first rule is to get disciplined and stay as consistent and confident as possible.
10) What is your favourite book of all time (fiction or non fiction)?
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.
11) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non-traditional art setting, where would that be?
I would exhibit my works in the heart of a forest.
12) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
What I learned at school is, beyond a lot of useful art history, also contemporary, is that working as an artist doesn’t mean waiting for inspiration to be creative. It is, however, necessary to have a regular timetable and to work hard every day, even if you are lacking creativity.
13) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
At the MoMA!
Learn more about Alessia and discover her collection of paintings.
