How and why did you start your artistic career?

Since I was a child, I’ve always had an obsession with drawing. I pursued artistic studies, starting at the Art High School/Book School of Urbino in the animation/cinema section, and eventually graduating in Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Urbino.
However, the true awareness and serious intention to pursue this path came only at the end of my third academic year, just before starting the two-year specialization. That was also the moment when I partly set drawing aside and began experimenting more seriously with painting.

How did you discover your medium and why did you choose it?

The transition from drawing to painting was quite natural. Certainly, the various stimuli I received at the academy—the constant research, studies, and new encounters—encouraged me to experiment and try new techniques.
I must say that once I entered this world, I never left it—it felt like coming home.

Can you tell us about your creative process? How did your work come about?

My work begins with the creation of a collage of images gathered from the web, magazines, and a personal photo archive. Once I’ve collected this material, I start designing and composing images that create a unique environment where elements from different “worlds” coexist in the same space, giving rise to a new dimension.
Lately, I must admit I’ve been focusing a lot on the planning stage as well: photography and the construction of real photographic sets. I enjoy having control even over the initial process.
I can therefore say that my work always begins with a photographic matrix, which helps maintain a connection to reality that is essential for building the painting.

How long does it take you to create a piece? When do you know it’s finished?

It depends. There are always many internal and external factors that come into play, and they influence the time spent on each work.
Usually, when I paint small-format canvases, I try not to drag out the process too long, in order to preserve a certain “pictorial freshness”—even though my technique is not at all quick, since I aim for a layered material effect that is very important to me, both in terms of time and color.
Although there are sometimes brief moments where I let myself be carried away by chance and the unexpected, I almost always know from the start when the work will be finished. From the initial idea, the image gradually becomes clearer and more focused in my mind as I paint.

Who are your favorite artists? Which ones inspire you?

There’s definitely a long list of artists who have influenced me throughout my journey, from my school years to today.
If I had to summarize, among the painters I consider masters—almost like fathers, or rather grandfathers—I would certainly name Vermeer, Rembrandt, Goya, De Chirico, Balthus, Morandi, and Hockney.
As for filmmakers who have inspired my thinking and artistic practice, I would name Antonioni, Bergman, and Tarkovsky.

THE ARTIST

Name: Marco Bacoli
Residence: Italy
Instagram page

FEATURED WORKS

oil on canvas, autoritratto con camicia

interno n°11, oil on canvas