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stina persson in person

Monday, May 21, 2007



Stina Persson is one of my favorite fashion illustrators/artists. I interviewed her back in October (click here to view) and I'm excited Stina has dropped by Trust Your Style today to talk about her solo show opening this week in New York at galleryhanahou. I think you'll also enjoy a little peek into Stina's studio.

mj: What was the inspiration for this show?



stina: These images originates from a series of Sicilian women I did for the German magazine Squint's Pure issue. The dramatic names of the Italian South--Immacolata, Annunziata, Crocefissa--inspired the portraits. I have spent quite a lot of time in Italy and for me, stories emerge from these names, making the portraits come alive.



mj: How would you describe the way that your work is evolving?



stina: For this show I'm doing everything as originals. I always work mainly by hand, but usually I use the computer to assemble my images or finish them up. Doing without the computer was harder than I thought, but in the end it was more than worth it: a lot of inspiration that had laid dormant was brought back to life. Ideas keep coming.

mj: It always stays with me, how you explained in your last interview that you don't like to draw women smiling. Can you tell us about the women depicted in this show?



stina: I think a smile is such a animated facial expression and the loveliest there is. But depicting it is kind of like painting a sunset. It's just not the same as the real thing. I think one can tell a lot more with the stare, without running the same risk of it feeling corny. Also working as a commercial artist, I'm told to do smiles and less sinister stares, so this is my chance to do things differently for once. And I do do smirks...

mj: Does fashion play a role in the women that you created for this show?

stina: Fashion yes, clothes not so much. It's all about color, proportion, attitude, style, composition, hairdos, make up, naked versus clothed, showing a little or showing it all. That, to me, is fashion.



mj: Are you working on anything new?

stina: All the pieces for the show aren't even finished yet! But yes, commercial work is piling up, so I will have to wake up to the real world very soon. But I'd like to continue to do more original work. Maybe something inspired by all the 50s and 60s movies I adore. With their divas and dresses and hats. Maybe even some smiles. Maybe.

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posted by Mary Jo at TrustYourStyle at Monday, May 21, 2007