Giorgia Siriaco is an Italian painter based in Santa Cruz, California. Siriaco holds a degree in Biological Sciences and works as a research scientist, dedicating as much spare time as possible to painting, creating textiles and teaching herself ever-more creative processes.

Siriaco has an excellent eye for colour and form, with inspiration often drawn from her research work. Her abstract work naturally lends itself to fresh surface-pattern, textiles and contemporary wall art uses. In addition to this, Siriaco's images are well-suited to conveying messages of calm, happiness and introspection in a broad context when accompanying editorial text.

 

Flowerfield, Giorgia Siriaco/ Bridgeman Images	Grow, Giorgia Siriaco (detail) / Bridgeman Images

 

Daily Life

What is your earliest memory of an artwork and who was it by?

I was surrounded by artwork in my childhood home, mainly contemporary, early 20^th century artists. My uncle, an artist and architect, had a few pieces I was particularly struck by; I would enjoy visiting him so I’d get to see them again. I also vividly remember visiting the Sistine Chapel as a teenager and being in awe of the beauty of Michelangelo’s work

What is your favourite time of day to be in your studio?

Any time I can paint is a favourite time of day! I usually work on my paintings in the evening, but prefer to paint in the morning, when everything feels fresh and full of possibility, and the light is beautiful. I paint for a few hours at a time, and step away when I am feeling stuck. I find that if I let things sit a while, I can figure out what to do when I return to the painting.

Talk us through a day in the life of Giorgia Siriaco. What’s your routine?

I get up fairly early, go to the gym and take the dog out for a long walk before starting my working day. The time spent outdoors is a highlight of my day; I am fortunate enough to live close to the ocean. On my walks I can slow down, observe my environment, take in the colours, shapes and sounds of the natural world that surrounds me, which often serves as inspiration for my paintings.

I am a research scientist by day, so I usually go to work after my walk and come home around 5PM. After dinner I finally get a chance to paint. I turn the radio on and work on one or two paintings at a time. The paintings take a while to evolve. I start with an idea and often end up in a very different place. I lay down many layers, and try to walk away in between layers to gain some perspective. I find the process of working through a painting completely absorbing, which means I often go to bed later than planned!

How would you sum up your practice in 5 words?

Intuitive, vital, freedom, colour, nature

 

Balance (detail), Giorgia Siriaco / Bridgeman Images	Protea Series I (detail), Giorgia Siriaco / Bridgeman Images

 

Under the microscope

You have a background as a research scientist. Do you ever find this informing your work now or are these very much separate strands of your career?

I have an undergraduate degree and PhD in Biological Sciences, with a focus on Cell Biology. This means I’ve spent a lot of time looking down microscopes at cells. Carrying out research on a daily basis really hones your observational skills. My art is not a literal representation of what I see on my walks or while looking down a microscope, but I’ve realized that – on a subconscious level - I am always observing shapes and colours. What I see throughout my day often finds itself on the canvas, sometimes to my surprise!

I used to believe my day job was at odds with my drive to create. But being a research scientist means, amongst other things, being curious, observing your surroundings, trying to figure things out. Although my approach to painting is very intuitive – I have no formal training and only started painting two years ago - I find myself using those same skills to explore the balance between marks and colour.

What has your most exciting commission been to date?

I recently created a large painting for a family’s informal living room. I imagine the children growing up with my painting in the background. My paintings are an expression of who I am, what I am going through; they are a visual diary of sorts in abstract terms. I like the idea that they leave me and become a part of someone else’s life, that they will become a part of someone else’s history.

How do you find working to commission? Do you find it pushes your work in new directions?

To date, my customers have seen pre-existing work they like and have commissioned similar pieces. The challenge is to draw inspiration from older work while creating something completely original, that feels fresh and new.

Digital or Analogue?

Definitely analogue. Much as the computer is an invaluable tool, I don’t like spending too much time in front of it.

Drawing or painting?

Mainly painting, although I’m starting to incorporate more drawing within my paintings.

 

Gardening (detail), Giorgia Siriaco / Bridgeman Images	Elephant (detail), Giorgia Siriaco / Bridgeman Images

 

Dinner Date

Which other artists, dead or alive would you choose to have dinner with?

A hard question to answer! I love the work of Suzy Pilgrim Waters, and would enjoy the chance to ask how she approaches her art. I love Frank Gehry’s architecture. Classical artists would include Monet, Michelangelo, Modigliani and Beato Angelico.

What brought you to Bridgeman for licensing, and what are your hopes for working as a Bridgeman Studio artist?

Bridgeman Studio came to me! I am both intrigued and excited to see what opportunities will come up through Bridgeman.

 

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