In the studio with Almendra Bertoni
Almendra Bertoni is a multi-disciplinary artist from Argentina, currently based in Brooklyn, New York. Her practice encompasses painting and sculpture. Her work challenges and examines religion, questioning taboos, such as sex and intimacy, with boldly surreal works that are all underpinned by extensive research, and are shaped by her interests in Renaissance art,contemporary churches, and past masters.
Almendra, throughout your career, what do you consider your most significant milestones, and
how have they shaped your journey as an artist ?
There are two milestones I'd like to highlight.
Without sounding too braggadocious, my 2023 solo show catapulted me into what I would like to believe, a more refined artistry. I was proud of every single artwork in that room. It fulfilled my soul knowing everyone came out just to see my work. It informed the way I work today. When I do a group show, now I'm very cautious of the narrative and relationship everyone’s work will have with each other.
The other milestone, not to sound pretentious, is showing up everyday. Regardless if it’s just to cry in the studio, I'm there. Betting on myself daily even when I feel like shit is the real glory, it’s more than any single exhibition can grant me.
How would you describe your artistic philosophy, and how has it evolved from the beginning of your career to now ?
Empathy has always gone a long way, I've grown a lot as an artist by just paying attention to how others respond to my work. To a healthy degree it can show you what is working and what needs improvement. However, as my career has progressed it has become a double edged sword.
I don’t know what people find genuinely deserving of praise or are they just trying to flatter my ego? It’s hard to decipher what is worth listening to and what is worth descarding. Regardless of intention,I still believe in the philosophy of holding radical empathy throughout your process, for the world, for yourself and for your audience.
Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into the creative zone, and could you share how they contribute to your process ?
I love going out to see exhibitions at least monthly. It refreshes my point of view and allows me to be social. Being a painter can be very isolating so I love feeling community whenever i get a chance.
What is one of the biggest challenges you've faced in creating your art, and how did you
overcome it ?
Monetizing my practice while experimenting has been challenging to say the least. It’s very vulnerable trying new things out publicly. There’s the fear of it not performing well?
What if they don’t like it? It sounds like I'm riddled with insecurities but I still wake up everyday and get to my studio knowing very well I'm doing amazing. I don’t know if i can say i’ve overcome the insecurities but i can say that i just show up everyday, regardless of how i’m feeling.
Where do you draw your inspiration from, and how do you incorporate these influences into your work ?
My work draws inspiration from feminine archetypes within modern and historic lenses: investigating religious piousness, sensuality, sexual shame, promiscuity, and the Madonna-Whore complex. I incorporate both canvas and hand-carved wood to create an atmospheric, otherworldly portal in which holiness and corruption exist simultaneously.
How does your taste in music influence your creative process? Could you share a few artists or
albums that have been particularly influential ?
In Rainbows by Radiohead is my go to album for when I got to give it my all in the studio. It starts off super up-beat with “15 Step” and ends off melancholic with my favorite song of all time “Videotape”. I grew up listening to Bjork so i enjoy throwing her on as well but mainly i’m throwing on youtube videos.
Most recently for a change I've been painting to the anime NANA. I’m sooooo hooked.
Reflecting on your artistic journey, how has your personal growth paralleled the evolution of your art ?
I love how personal this question is. I used to make a lot of work about heartbreak in my early 20’s. I was growing through a lot of pain romantically, so I had a lot to draw from. My work was so full of rage and resentment around 2021. Now that my love life has taken a backseat, I don’t spill my secrets out to canvas for past lovers to decipher anymore. At the moment, I make artwork about something much greater: God.
Imagine having the opportunity to spend a day with any artist from history. Who would it be, and what would you ask them ?
I’d conjure Hieronymus Bosch's spirit. I know he’s probably seriously insane but as one of the early pioneers of surrealism I can't help but wonder what he would’ve been making today. Him and Francisco Goya, I feel like they know some secrets of the universe, like they’ve actually seen demons and angels.
Have you ever thought about experimenting with an unconventional medium that you haven't used before ? What would it be, and what would you create with it ?
I’m always interested in growing artistically so of course I'd love to experiment with an unconventional medium. I’m looking into glass blowing, ceramics, wood carving, you name it and I'm fair game. Maybe one day I'll combine all 3.
