Ernesto Romano is an Italian artist living and working in London. His practice involves the use of medical records like X-rays or MRIs of his body which he uses to make his art. “I am progressively dissecting myself,” he says with a smile. The use of X-rays is a simple way to explore the very essence of being human, deprived of any feature or embellishment that may come with society or status. We are all equal in the end regardless of the jewels we wear. Jewels and embellishments are often present in his work, together with bold colours. He embellishes his works often with glitter, gold leaf or diamond dust. The love for colours is the love of life and for being alive and being human. His work is often bold, ironic, frivolous, but he deeply reflects on bigger questions: where do we come from? Why are we here? Where do we go?
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
Pop Art
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
I go on the Internet and read or research. I do it a lot. I find the internet very inspiring. I look at images of old anatomical drawings or similar material.
I also like documentaries about The Universe. I like to reflect on the deepest questions of our human existence and the origin of the Universe which I find overwhelming, it makes me more productive and creative. It drives my ideas.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
I mainly work on medical records of myself. My creative process is a progressive dissection of my body. I am constantly looking for a part of my body to analyse and get images of. My last project is a three-dimensional print of my brain obtained through an MRI which was converted into a three-dimensional file. My next project will be for sure my heart I hope.
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
I think probably Damien Hirst. Not all of his work though. The way he uses colours for sure.
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
Definitely a botanist. I have a passion for plants and flowers I find them very relaxing. I grow a lot of flowers from seeds I like the process of seeing them growing.
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
Electronic music.
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
Guido Reni: Ecce Homo would be one easy choice for me as I love that painting.Something more contemporary would be a piece by Riccardo Cinalli who is also a good friend of mine. I like how he depicts the bodies and the energy and the pathos the emerges. The carnality of his paintings. I like all his work.
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
Tate Modern.
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
Never stop making new art. Never look behind but go ahead and put your newest ideas to work.
I believe productivity is the key.
10) What is your favourite book of all time (fiction or non-fiction)?
The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking
11) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non-traditional art setting, where would that be?
Probably the techno club Berghain in Berlin which is an old power station in East Berlin. It is huge. And rough. It has been left nearly as intact as it used to be when it was a power station. I can see how some of my works in an extra large format could fit in that environment nicely and with that kind of music. Probably something backlit like a giant lightbox.
12) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
I trained as an architect. So definitely proportion and measure. Equilibrium. The use of materials and colours to achieve emotions. The simplicity versus the chaos. I like simple and minimal images with few elements in it. Less is more said, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. I could not agree more.
13) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
At home making exciting art for my next exhibition somewhere in the world. While sipping on a tea among my plants.
