Who is Angela Cavalieri?
A Melbourne based visual artist working primarily with text.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Nothing. I enjoy what I do.
Who inspires you and why?
Not so much who, but what. Music, travelling, architecture and Italian writers. I draw a lot from experiences during my residencies, mainly in Europe. Most of my inspiration comes from places and the people I meet during my time overseas.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
The Aeolan Islands in Sicily. I feel a strong connection to the history and roots of the volcanic islands; there’s such an ancient feeling about the place. You can almost see the stories from Roman and Greek civilization. I can imagine bumping into Neptune in the sea when I’m there.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I like to take people to the Botanical Gardens, and to all of the multicultural shops on Sydney Road. It gives people a good overview of Melbourne. I also enjoy getting out of the city and taking people to Hanging Rock (mostly because they’ve seen the movie or read the book).
What are you currently reading?
A collection of Italian short stories.
What are you currently listening to?
Paolo Conte. And Tom Waites.
Happiness is?
Looking at the sky through the oculus in the Pantheon.
What does the future hold for you?
My next art project is in Darwin at the Northern Centre for Contemporary Art in 2016. Aside from that, hopefully more travel to Italy.
Angela Cavalieri studied printmaking at the Victorian College of the Arts. Since graduating in 1983, she has exhibited widely in solo and group shows throughout Australia. From 2001 – 2005, Angela devised and curated, Script – an exhibition for national tour. Racconto – a significant retrospective exhibition was held at ICON, Deakin University Art Museum in 2007.
Angela has been awarded several prizes including: Geelong Print Prize Acquisitive Award (2009); Silk Cut Print Award (2000); and the Shell Fremantle Print Award (1999).
She has undertaken several artist residencies including: Australia Council Overseas Development Grant, Barcelona (2010); Piramidon Centre for Contemporary Art, Barcelona (2008); Edith Cowan University, Perth (2005); Australia Council Residency at The British School in Rome (2003); and Australia Council Overseas Studio in Tuscany, Italy (1987).
In 2012, Angela received a Creative Fellowship at the State Library of Victoria, and in 2015, undertook residency and exhibition at Scuola Internazionale di Grafica in Venice. Her work is held in many public and private galleries in Australia and internationally.
Angela is currently featured in CANZONE – Music as Storytelling, a visual and musical dream presented by fortyfivedownstairs as part of the Melbourne Festival to 24 October 2015. For more information, visit: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com for details.
Image: Angela Cavalieri