Based in Modena, Italy, 40 year old Patrick Aleotti works as a user interface designer within a creative agency.
“I am artistically self-taught: I didn’t go to university of Fine Arts or so – but I studied (and worked, and still working with) graphics and prepress. I started drawing insistently when I was a child, and never stopped since.”
Patrick co-founded independent music label and art books/zines publishing house called Nervi Cani, creating visuals for records and zines; making DIY fanzines, non-DIY fanzines, flyers and artworks for the Italian underground music scene. (https://nervicani.bandcamp.com/)
We caught up with Patrick to find out more…
How do you go about starting a piece of work? Does it start as a pencil drawing? What is your process?
I generally have an intuitive and outright approach to my work. I put some good records on, open a beer (or make myself a tea) and start drawing. I sketch daily, directly with markers, I don’t overthink it. I love using and mixing different materials, tools and techniques.
I’m trying to “learn to unlearn”, to reach that authenticity I’m searching for since a long time.
What are you currently working on?
I’m working on a project on my Instagram profile for a year now: I make a sketch a day on a little messy sketchbook using cheap felt tip pens for kids, as a creative exercise but also and mostly because it makes me feel good, it’s a peaceful and serene moment for me.
I love making collages as well, so I’m creating many of these and selling some at Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh.
Tell us about a typical working day.
As I previously said, I design Internet sites for a living (tedium). What I like the most about my working day is the lunch break I spend with my dog! Therefore I draw and paint at night or in the weekend, but I’m always there – in my studio – with my mind. Very often I get inspiration while I’m working in the office and I write my ideas down on flying paper sheets.
How do you want people to feel when they see your work?
Ok, this is something I honestly never think of. In my works I pursue simplicity, so if someone says “I can do it too”, I hit the spot. Joking aside, I have an emotional approach to art, so I hope my works can bring something hidden inside people to the surface, make feel feelings. Possibly nice feelings!
Whose work do you admire and why?
I literally adore Art Brut, Outsider Art and not-academic art in general. Carlo Zinelli and Jean Dubuffet are two of my favourite artists. African/Egyptian/Maya/Colombian/Native American ancient arts fascinate me and give me so much inspiration. I love how kids draw: I’m a big fan of my six-year-old nephew, we often draw together. I genuinely think he’s so much better than me.
Does music influence your work at all?
Music is a huge part of my life and one of my biggest pleasures. As I told you, I always listen to music while I paint and draw, it helps me isolating and blending with the carrying out of the process. I believe that everything I listen to inevitably converges in my artworks, colours and subjects. I am lately listening to spiritual jazz when I paint: Yusef Lateef – his album “Eastern Sounds” is a real gem – Don Cherry, Pharoah Sanders, Idris Muhammad and the compilations by Jazzman Records. I started an Instagram account dedicated to my vinyls collection and my musical researches, it’s called @vinilisuldivano (“vinyls on the sofa”) – to be honest, I’ve been neglecting it a bit, lately.
Who’s your favourite new band/musician?
Among contemporary/new artists I’m in love with El Michels Affair, Surprise Chef, Duval Timothy and Vanishing Twin.
Finally, what can we expect to see from you in the near future?
I’m trying to move my drawings on big format, so I’m working on big canvas.
I opened a little online shop where I sell some of my artworks: www.patrickaleotti.com
The new issue of So Young is out now. Grab a copy in print here or read the digital edition below.