Interview with Petra Giorgi by Karen van Dee and Rosa Ketelaar, A4A

Introduction For our subject CKV we were given an assignment. We had to interview someone who deals with art. We chose someone who participates on the art route Albrandwaard. She lives nearby, in the same street as Rosa.

What is your name? My name is Petra Giorgi. How long have you been an artist ? I etch since 30 years. Why did you start etching? On secondary school I started drawing and I found it fun to do. I did continue and then I did an entrance exam for the Art Academy. I started with etching. Sometimes you get very dirty, but you can do many things with etching. If you make a painting, you have one thing, but with etching you can make the etch in different colors and use different printing techniques. There are more possibilities than with painting. Where did you study? I studied at the Art Academy in Rotterdam. How many hours a week do you spend on art ? That depends. I am trying to work on art one day a week, but sometimes there are other things that I have to do. But in between, art is always on my mind. What gives you inspiration? Many things, such as nature, texts, poems. I work a lot with maturity of time. I get inspiration in Italy, the Etruscans, the ancient world. Which artist do you admire? I like Ru van Rossem. He is an etcher and he makes real big etching plates. I find that extraordinary. Furthermore I like Canaletto ( an Italian painter who lived in the 17th century) and many contemporary artists. Can you tell us how a piece of art gets his form? First, I am inspired, I have ideas. I will now show you an etching plate. When you rub this plate with ink you get an image. An etching plate is made of zinc. You must first sand the plate and then you wax the plate. Then you scratch it with a needle. You scratch in the wax and then the plate goes into the nitric acid. This acid takes away the zinc, where there is no wax. The longer the plate is in the acid, the deeper the line becomes. Then you clean it and you will have a line etching. It is a kind of pen drawing. If you want to use colors, you would bring something on the plate that holds the color. I put on solid wax. I can print in it anything I want such as straps, lace, plastic etc. Then I put it back into the acid and you see the prints of these materials. I do this in my studio in a big press.

What technique do you use? I etch. How long does it take to make an etching? I mostly work on multiple plates at a time because you have a lot to dry in between. Usually it takes one month to make an etching, but sometimes I work longer. Sometimes I dont know how to go further, but later on I do. What material do you use? I use zinc, ink and acid to make the etchings. Why do you use this type of material? These materials are essential to make an etching. Do you have another job? Yes, I am a teacher visual arts and CKV on a school in Rotterdam. Is it easy to combine? No, I dont think so. I prefer to be just busy with art. You will get inspiration from your students, but it is better to keep on working on your art. What influence does your work have on your daily life? That you are always busy and it is not always good for my mood if I cant work on. The ordinary everyday things are going on, for example a friend who is playing with my son, etc. If you exhibit you have the extra pressure. Everything must be ready and should be brought to the gallery. That's a lot of work and gives a lot of stress. What is art according to you? Things that are unique, things that put you to thoughts. Art is something where you get inspiration from. Why are you joining de atelier route Albrandswaard? We have a group of artists in Albrandswaard. The idea is that people who live here can learn about art without having to go to a gallery. Because the threshold for some people to go to a gallery is too high. The art trail doesnt have the purpose of selling your work, but to get people inside and get people acquainted with art and the techniques used. What do the visitors think of your work? They think it is beautiful! I am joining the route for a long time, so people know my work already. Some people want to buy my work. They find it an advantage that they have direct contact with the artist. In a gallery isnt that the case. Do you expose your work in a gallery? Yes, I have an exposition in GB5 and in Zurich. Have you ever thought about opening your own gallery? No, I have never thought of that. Do you think that youre still learning? Yes I am still taking courses, master classes. I regularly visit the Academy for new technologies. I am now working with a photographic technique, with this technique you can put photos and other things on a plate. The lines are much finer than on a regular plate.

What are your plans for the future? I want to make collages. To make these I use etchings and other little drawings. Thank you for the interview. Is it possible to make some pictures of your work? Of course. Some of the works by Petra Giorgi:

Thanks and good luck with your plans for the future.