Argiuolo is an Italian product designer based in Antwerp, Belgium. His illustrations are fresh and funny. Argiuolo captured unnoticed things of our everyday life and his pen does the rest. #interview
KALTBLUT: How did you start illustration in the first place?
Argiuolo: I draw since I can remember; it was my favourite game when I was a child. I started with the illustrations as soon as I moved to Belgium, I was looking for a way to express myself and feel more in touch with my person as an artist.
KALTBLUT: There is a lot of irony in you work. What inspires you the most?
Argiuolo: What happens in the world and in my daily life. I like to show unnoticed things, or easy thoughts, make them valuable in my personal way.
KALTBLUT: How did you came withe the idea for the yogaMasters serie?
Argiuolo: Last year I was having some trouble with work, with love and with my body, every time I opened up about it with someone I heard the same words: “Have you tried yoga? It’s amazing for what you are going through”, I found kinda funny how yoga seems to be the answer to everything to almost everyone. The series is an open question to myself: how could the life of these historical characters be any different if they would have been practicing yoga? In which way would it change the way they are remembered by humankind? Would they be remembered at all?
My pen did the rest.
KALTBLUT: I love the fact that you are using your art to denounce things, like what is happening in Russia for example with your Putin illustration. What is the message you want to get across to viewers of your work?
Argiuolo: There is not a precise message. I try to entertain the viewer pushing his/her curiosity with the details (the “jockstrap” worn by Putin for instance) . I feel very powerless about the gay condition in Russia. I let myself wander through possible scenarios in which I find a way to contribute for my people, art is the only way I find to deal with these thoughts!!
KALTBLUT: All of your illustrations came with a little text along. How is your creative process from the idea till the final posting on Instagram?
Argiuolo: I am overstimulated by what happens around me and I feel like there is an odd filter in my brain that suddenly translates all this outside information into “visions”. When I sit to draw, I already have everything in my mind well structured, then, to give substance to my idea, I work as if I am designing a product: concept definition, briefing and editing details, balancing shapes and colours, lines size etc..
KALTBLUT: Have you found any other work/artists to be really inspiring currently?
Argiuolo:Yes, there are lots of artists that I look up to and I follow constantly…but it’s a very huge and different range: from the natural and artificial chaotic structures of Arne Quinze to the gentle and dreamy compositions of Fran Munyoz.
KALTBLUT: What are you working on at the moment?
Argiuolo: My website! I also have a few new pieces in my mind, plus some products related to the illustrations, so, stay tuned!
Contact:
@Facebook
Instagram: @argiuolo_