SWITZERLAND
In a world where art is often confined by boundaries and rules, Michaela Medea breaks through these barriers, creating portraits that captivate with their emotional depth and authenticity. Having undergone a transformative journey from industrial design to fine arts, Michaela has found her unique voice through a spontaneous and intuitive approach to art. Her works are not merely visual representations of faces but intimate glimpses into the souls of her subjects, with every line and mark telling a story of their inner worlds. Through this interview, delve into Michaela Medea's creative process, discover what inspires her, and how she expresses the deepest parts of her personality through art.
Can you tell us more about yourself and your artistic journey? What key moments and experiences have shaped you as an artist?
During my industrial design studies, I stopped drawing traditionally due to fear of criticism and a lack of self-confidence. Instead, I delved into digital media, a decision I regret today. Nevertheless, the desire for analog creation remained deeply rooted in me. I occasionally attended life drawing sessions and later found joy in modeling with clay and casting figures in plaster. The fascination with people and especially portraits always accompanied me.
In 2021, I moved to Berlin to study again. I began studying illustration, but after a year and a half, I decided to quit because I sought more freedom in my artistic expression. During a summer vacation in a neighboring village, I finally found portrait painting. The ongoing corona measures and limited access to materials led me to create my first portrait series on cardboard packaging.
The search for opportunities to draw faces live led me to online sessions that emerged during the lockdown. These offered an excellent opportunity to practice regularly. During the duration of a music track, about one to five minutes, a selected person is drawn by everyone else. These sessions not only improve my ability to work quickly and precisely but also enhance my creativity and understanding of various facial expressions and emotions.
Since then, I have created hundreds of portraits, driven by an intense passion that continues to this day. It feels like a pull that draws me deeper into this fascinating world. The online sessions are now a fixed part of my practice routine. Weekly, I participate in these sessions, where up to 300 people from all over the world meet simultaneously to draw each other.
Your fictional portraits are known for their pronounced emotional depth. What inspires you to create these unique portraits, and how do you choose the themes you explore?
My fictional portraits are characterized by an intense emotional depth that arises from observing people in unobserved moments. It fascinates me how, when people are absorbed in their thoughts, their faces either lose all emotion or unconsciously reveal emotions. This creates a very intimate moment. The face thus becomes a stage for their inner emotional world, often beyond common beauty ideals. My choice of themes is strongly influenced by the diversity of human emotions and experiences. I am particularly drawn to stories about inner conflicts, longings, and deep feelings.
Gender also plays a role in my work. By consciously keeping the gender of my figures open, I aim to encourage viewers to think about and question rigid concepts of gender and identity. By leaving the gender identity of my figures open, I challenge the notion that a person's gender is a clear and unchangeable characteristic.
Moreover, I strive to view the image without preconceived notions, often consciously avoiding typical features.
Can you guide us through your creative process? How do your works develop from the initial idea to the finished piece?
My creative process often begins spontaneously and intuitively. Initially, I make random strokes and marks on the canvas, which gradually form into faces. This free and unplanned beginning allows me to maintain a certain freedom and openness in the creative process.
The selection of depicted persons is also intuitive and inspired by everyday encounters, personal experiences, and inner impulses. I am often guided by fleeting moments and the emotional depth I perceive in unobserved moments in people. These moments capture the most authentic and raw emotions, which then flow into my portraits.
I prefer to paint on used canvases or materials that would otherwise be discarded. I find this much more inspiring. Additionally, it frees me from the pressure to create a perfect picture. When I imagine just practicing, the best works often emerge because they are free from high expectations.
I prefer a fast and impulsive working method, where a picture often emerges on the same day. This way, I bypass my inner critic, who doesn't have time to interfere. Additionally, there is this strong energy that vibrates at a high level only for a certain time. In these moments of intense creation, I feel completely in tune with my creativity and can immediately bring my visions to the canvas.
This method allows me to capture and express the spontaneous and raw emotion inherent in my creative process directly. The dynamics and immediate resonance of my work reflect the lively and fleeting nature of the inspiration that drives me. Every brushstroke, every color becomes an expression of my current feeling, making my artworks lively and authentic.
After the work is finished, I take ample time to view and evaluate it. Occasionally, I make corrections if I see they can improve the piece. Ultimately, I decide only on a few pictures that they are finished. Many end up back in the stack intended for a new overpainting.
In essence, I do not produce pictures but express myself through my art. In the best case, at the end of my creative process, a portrait emerges that feels coherent to me, touches me, and reflects my feelings. Such a portrait I leave unchanged and make it ready to be shown to the public.
I believe that the greatest challenge in art is to believe in something that does not yet exist and to bring it to life.
Norya & Noel, acrylic on paper, 42 x 59 cm
How have your experiences in industrial design and 3D visualization influenced your artistic style and the techniques you use?
My experiences in industrial design and 3D visualization have significantly shaped my approach to art. I learned to carefully observe forms and spaces, which is reflected in the precision and details of my portraits. Working with digital tools has also enabled me to develop technical skills that I use in my work and experiment with different styles and techniques.
Which exhibitions and events have left a particular impression on you and why? How have these exhibitions influenced your artistic development?
I don't have much exhibition experience. In 2021, thanks to a sponsorship, I exhibited for the first time at Swissartexpo at Zurich Main Station. This exhibition was a great honor for me as I had just started creating art. This experience motivated me enormously and opened doors to new opportunities. The following year, I received another sponsorship, and last year, participation in a competition led to a beautiful group exhibition with other talented artists in Kobesenmühle, Niederhelfenschwil ( www.kobesenmühle.ch ), which continues until October. I am particularly pleased that I have already sold all three works exhibited there, which makes me very happy and motivated.
My personal highlight, however, is my very first solo exhibition at the Kulturpavillon in Wil, which is coming to an end soon. My works there show a very personal side of me. The faces are often not just friendly and cheerful but also reflect my feelings. For me, my art is a form of communication and an opportunity to connect with other people, which is often not easy for me in everyday life. It touches me and means a lot when visitors are willing to engage and look closely.
Exposing myself in this way was an intense experience – I felt vulnerable and exposed. At the same time, it was very fulfilling to receive many positive responses that confirmed and motivated me on my path. This exhibition not only brings me visibility and recognition but also strengthens my confidence and determination to advance in art and stay true to myself.
One realization I have gained is that art that appeals to everyone in the same way is often considered pleasant but not profound. Such works rarely go beyond the obvious and offer little room for interpretation or deeper reflection. When art appeals to everyone equally, it may avoid dealing with complex or uncomfortable themes. I believe that true art, which divides the audience, encourages us to question our beliefs and perceptions and broadens our understanding of the world around us.
In the future, I want to adhere even more clearly to this principle: If something is accepted by everyone, I probably wasn't brave enough.
Solo exhibition at Kulturpavillon Wil 2024 Excerpt from the studio in St. Gallen Charcoal work on the theme of silence, 100 x 170 cm
What materials and techniques do you prefer for creating portraits? Do you often experiment with new approaches and materials?
During the work process, I experiment with various materials, depending on their availability and my inspiration. I enjoy working with different materials to create various textures and effects. When choosing colors, I often prefer a reduced palette, sometimes even just black and white, to focus on the actual expression.
I constantly challenge myself by leaving behind familiar techniques once I have practiced them enough. This process is often frustrating at the beginning because a new path means leaving the comfort zone, which can be reflected in the results. However, overcoming this phase is very important, and in retrospect, this step almost always proves successful. This way, I discover new things and can continue to develop.
Overall, I see my art as a continuous journey of discovery, shaped by the interplay of emotions, stories, and artistic means of expression.
Who or what currently inspires you the most in your work and why? Do you have any advice or recommendations for young artists just starting their creative journey?
Currently, I am most inspired by the daily observation of people. The variety of emotions and expressions I see in everyday encounters flows directly into my work. The works of many great artists, such as Egon Schiele, Marlene Dumas, Amedeo Modigliani, Käthe Kollwitz, and Tamara de Lempicka, also have a profound influence on me.
An important lesson I have learned and would like to share is the necessity of not being intimidated by the seemingly superior works of others, especially in today’s era of social media. Although many impressive artworks are frequently showcased, the focus should ultimately be on the individual creative process. It is challenging to find your own path, but this is crucial for developing a unique style rather than merely copying existing works. Besides the joy of artistic creation, the value lies in expressing one's own feelings and experiences, which gives art its distinctive depth and authenticity.
In difficult times and moments of self-doubt, it is important to remain consistent. When facing creative blockages, I have found that focusing on basic tasks, such as tidying up the workspace or preparing materials, is often very helpful and helps overcome these blocks. Another valuable piece of advice is to regularly participate in gatherings with other artists for joint drawing or painting sessions. Diligence and creating a routine play a crucial role. The energy and inspiration from other artists can help revitalize one's own motivation and engage more intensely in personal creation.
My advice to young artists is to be inspired by the variety of impressions but not to be discouraged by the abundance of impressive works. It is important to maintain confidence in your own creative voice and not compare yourself too much with others. Staying curious, willing to experiment, and open to new experiences are the keys to finding and following your own path in art. This is a constant reminder to myself as well.
On what are you currently working, and do you have any upcoming projects or events you would like to share with us?
Currently, I am working on various projects and am excited to further develop my artistic journey. Although I am relatively new to the art world, I have already had the opportunity to participate in several group and solo exhibitions. At the moment, I have a large commission: I am to create a 6 x 2.5 meter mural in Geneva, which is a challenge I am particularly looking forward to.
Additionally, another solo exhibition is scheduled for September, and there are already two exhibition dates planned for 2025. I am curious to see where the journey will take me and look forward to continuing to present my art and gain new experiences.
Why do you create art? Why is it so important to you?
Art helps me overcome difficult times. Due to my lack of eloquence and difficulties in dealing with people, I hope to find a way to express myself and make connections through my paintings. Art allows me to be seen and understood while sharing my feelings and thoughts. When people vehemently reject my works, it feels as if they are also rejecting me and refusing a dialogue with me. This was particularly challenging at the beginning, but I am learning to cope with it. It is important to me to remain authentic.
For me, art is therefore an indispensable means of communication and self-expression. It represents my perspective. I believe that by genuinely sharing our perspectives, we fulfill the true meaning of art.
Through the creation of art, we offer a mirror that allows others to confront their hidden self-image.
Through the words of Michaela Medea, we have discovered a world filled with passion, creativity, and endless curiosity. Her fictional portraits are not just artworks but invitations to introspection and connection with one's own emotions. Michaela shows us that art has no boundaries and that with every brushstroke, we can discover something new about ourselves and the world around us.
We invite you to continue following Michaela Medea's work and get to know her fascinating artistic oeuvre more closely. Visit her official website and Instagram profile to stay updated with her latest projects and exhibitions. Experience art that deeply touches and inspires.