Rossina Bossio
Visual Artist
Tell us a bit about yourself:
Art is my life. I’ve been involved in artistic activities since I was a kid. I grew up in a very conservative and religious environment, and I’ve always found in art a way to ‘breathe’. I was once into acting, writing, dancing, singing, among many other things of that sort. Fortunately, I’ve managed to focus in painting, drawing and photography in the last couple of years.
I don’t believe in right answers or absolute truth. Contradiction and ambiguity are far more interesting for me, probably because I tend to change my mind very easily, not necessarily influenced by an external opinion/event, but mostly by instinct. I always want to see things through a different perspective. By the way, I might feel the urge to change what I wrote here in a couple of days.
What do you make?
I make figurative images that are self-referenced and/or about female subjects. But I don’t create feminist art. I try hard to avoid making closed statements or answering questions through my images.
I don’t like to say I’m a painter or a photographer because that might change in the future. I consider myself a visual artist.
Where else on the web can we find you?
On my official website, where you’ll find a list of other profiles spread all over the net. You can also follow me on Flickr, where I encourage true and critical feedback on my work. I love to exchange and discuss with other fellow flickerites.
I also have an online print shop on Redbubble.
What did you dream about last night?
It’s funny, but I don’t remember. During many years I wasn’t able remember my dreams at all. Strangely, since I’m in France, I don’t know if I started dreaming more or just started recalling my dreams. But right now I can’t remember what I’ve dreamt during the last week. Weird.
What inspires you?
My life experiences, stories about members of my family, my boyfriend; religion, sex, women; catholic iconography and publicity ads; fashion magazines…fashion in general; vintage posters and old illustrated books and encyclopedias; erotic and slightly pornographic pics of women with androgynous and youthful looks/bodies; painters like Jenny Saville, Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, Edgar Degas, Balthus, Egon Schiele, Alex Kanevsky; photographers like Sally Mann, Andres Serrano, Joel Peter Witkin or Rineke Dijkstra; various Flickr artists. Among many other things.
Where do you live and what do you like about it?
I’m currently living, working and studying in Rennes, France, a small, calm and beautiful place. I live in a lovely apartment near downtown. I like the historic architecture of the city and the fact that nothing is too far away.
I like the way things work here in general, organized and clean. My hometown Bogotá is great but it’s a huge chaotic city where you always have to stay alert.
I know I don’t want to stay in Rennes forever; deep down I’m a ‘big city’ girl, but at the moment it’s just perfect to be here. I also love the fact that in Rennes I’ve been having the most creative and prolific period of my artistic career until now.
What is your biggest fear?
Failure and all kinds of insects. They both make me look stupid.
Name a few of your favorite movies \ books \ websites \ bands:
My music/movie/book taste has changed a lot with the years. I’d say Sofia Coppola’s Virgin Suicides has been my most long lasting favorite movie.
I still cherish The Perfume, La vie en Rose and The prestige.
As for music bands, I’ve been listening to Radiohead and Fiona Apple for many years now. I still like early NIN too. These days, depending on my mood, I listen to Unkle, Ray Charles or Edith Piaf. When I’m painting, I like listening to pop music- it gives me a lot of energy!
Books? Books were my best friends when I was in High School. I don’t know why is it that I find it so difficult to read these days. However, I reckon Kafka, Süskind, García Márquez, Sartre, Henry Miller, Anaïs Nin, Cortazar and Vargas Llosa are by far my favorite authors.
What are you really good at? What are you really bad at:
I’m very good at imitating people’s voices and gestures, but I’m shy, so only a few people have witnessed this great ability of mine.
I’m awful at marketing and business and I’m not a great conversationalist. I find conversation through Internet easier because I get more time to think and I also get the chance to delete/edit my answers.
What is your favorite thing to eat?
Ice cream! Definitely! I love ice cream. It is delicious and it’s also my most effective medicine against sadness.
I also love Italian food in general: pasta, pizza, lasagna, etc…and lots of cheese!!
How would you like to be remembered?
I’d like my closest ones to remember me as a loyal, open minded, sensitive and –in my own way- strong being. The rest of the world can remember me as inspiring, and why not, as a great artist.
What is the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?
That’s a tough question for me. There has been so many times in my life I’ve felt embarrassed that I couldn’t just pick one.
Anything else you would like to say:
My images are the product of many years of hard work. I get a lot of ‘you’re young and talented’, but more than that, I’m disciplined, stubborn and perfectionist. I hate to give up and say ‘I just can’t do it’. I feel that if I want it, I can…
On another note, I know an artist is never ‘done’.