What does it feel like to win the 15th BBVA Ricard Camí Painting Award?

Winning this award is an honor for me, I am very grateful. This is wonderful feedback that inspires me a lot to continue working on my projects. It's a life-changing experience, and my biggest achievement so far. It helps a lot to believe in myself.

Did you expect it?

Not at all, it was an incredible surprise. I just wanted to present my work to high-level experts. I hoped to be selected, but I didn't dare to expect to win.

Do you think contests like the one organized by BBVA help promote art?

Absolutely. Contests like the BBVA Ricard Camí Painting Award promote art by helping emerging contemporary artists to be seen. Artists who reflect the world around us. There was a group exhibition after the ceremony presenting all the finalist and previous winning works, and all the contestants could feel like winners. This is a great opportunity for all participants to showcase their talents and for all art lovers to discover contemporary art. Additionally, winning this award gave me the opportunity for a solo exhibition at the Centre Cultural Terrassa in 2018, which is another great occasion to showcase my works to the public.

How would you define your work 'Synchronized'?

The painting aimed to show harmony, peace, love, an intimate universe in this crazy world, deep trust, and stability between two people. They have their own world, and nothing can enter this harmonious and perfect world. There is so much understanding and wordless communication; they are absolutely synchronized. The couple in the work could be any couple who seek and find security in each other.

How did your passion for painting arise?

I have always been fascinated by art from a very young age, and I have always been drawing and daydreaming. In 2013, there was a moment when I felt I wanted to concentrate on creating works and putting all my feelings into art. I wasn't happy with my life, I had a difficult period, and I was living in my head, turning my back on the outside world. The only thing that could make me happy was being with my husband and working on collages, paintings, photography, and video art.

When did you realize you had a true talent for it?

Since I was a child, I have always been drawing. I loved creating works just for the joy of creation. My friends and later my husband always told me that what I do is good, but I never thought to take it seriously. What really helped me realize that what I do is worthwhile was when I met artists in the UK where I lived for 8 years. I met Daniel Balanescu, the multimedia artist who found my work interesting and encouraged me to keep working on my ideas. I was very inspired by him and loved his works. And, of course, moving to Barcelona, being exhibited at Olivart Art Gallery, and receiving this award now from an expert jury is a real honor and makes me realize that what I do is valuable.

Behind talent, I suppose there is a lot of training?

When I was a teenager, my dream was to study at the Academy of Fine Arts in Budapest, but my application was rejected. I was terribly disappointed, but I tried to forget it and continue drawing. I have been working just for myself and my friends, and I always wanted to get better and better. I had some painting and drawing lessons, but basically, I am self-taught. I just jumped into creation; my feelings guide me. Many times I feel like I am just a tool for the work to become reality.

You are also a fashion designer. Does this profession have any parallel with painting?

Yes and no. Of course, as a fashion designer, I have a daily routine of handling brushes and pencils, which is somewhat parallel to the visual arts, but after working for 15 years, I felt that I wanted to express myself more deeply and create works of art that I always wanted. I escaped from my fashion background where they always sought perfection and followed a trend of beauty. I didn't want to show only beautiful things; I wanted to create something that is expressive and more real. I wanted to focus on feelings because our emotions are what truly make us human.

What do you try to convey with your works?

They are mainly about the mental struggles of everyday life, about seeking and finding harmony, beauty, stability, and love in this crazy world. I am interested in psychology. Making art is like therapy for me that comforts me. That's why I think my works are very intimate and personal. I hope they can convey a little hope.

How would you define yourself as an artist?

Calling myself an "artist" is still difficult for me. I want to work hard and put all my heart and soul into my works to be able to demonstrate that I deserve to be called an artist. But I define myself as someone who loves to create, work with different materials, experiment with ideas, and lose myself in my thoughts. Working makes me feel truly alive.

Do you have any reference or favorite artist?

I love artists who can tell stories, who can shock, make brutally beautiful things, and those who can get under your skin just by looking at their works. I love artists who can make you cry or laugh. For example, I am fascinated by the work of Antoni Tàpies, I love Gerhard Richter, Lucian Freud, Rothko, Anselm Kiefer, Robert Longo, George Condo, Marlene Dumas, Tracey Emin, Maria Lassnig, Helena Almeida, Julião Sarmento, Katrien De Blauwer. I am also influenced by contemporary dance, such as choreographies by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker or Pina Bausch, or black and white cinema like films by Jean-Luc Godard and music like pieces by composer Ryuichi Sakamoto.

What would you say to all those people who don't quite dare to apply for the BBVA Painting Award?

I think my experience can be the perfect example that they should believe in themselves: I didn't have much of a history as an artist; it was the BBVA Ricard Camí Painting Award that earned me recognition. They must put their heart and soul into their work and apply for this wonderful opportunity.

- La Vanguardia