We had the good fortune of connecting with KARINE GIFFONI and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi KARINE, why did you pursue a creative career?
Painting and the emotional connection I have with it entered my life due to an illness called LYME, and art stayed to fill me with what the disease had taken away. Thanks to my illness, my dream of being an artist began to take shape; it was what made me get up and move forward. Suddenly, art entered my veins as if it were the Borrelia Miyamotoi bacteria, the culprit behind chronic Lyme disease. What the bacteria took away from me, art gave back.

The intersection between creativity and illness often provides fertile ground to explore and understand your own emotions more deeply and meaningfully. Living in the ambiguity between art and illness can immerse you in a complex emotional journey. You experience ups and downs but also opportunities to channel those emotions into artistic expressions that can serve as an escape valve and a means of self-discovery.

My art became a palette of feelings, where I found dark tones of challenge but also vibrant flashes of creativity and authenticity. It’s an intimate dance between the vulnerability of illness and the emotional release that art can offer, creating a unique world of experiences, emotions, sensations, liberation, and love.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Behind my works is something worth seeing. Hence, the phrase “A LIFE BETWEEN TWO WORLDS” accompanies me in my artistic process and reflects something that is present in human nature and that we often do not perceive or do not want to realize: our dark side reflected in emotions like fear, loneliness, insecurity, depression, pain, frustration, doubts, chaos, sadness, anger, incapacity—basically, a shadow side that we all have and do not want to accept. In contradiction, there is the side of colors, contrast, brightness, the purity of tones, simple and childlike design, connection with myself, joy, fulfillment, respect for myself, acceptance, inspiration, hidden marks that need to be observed up close to find their essence, and large eyes that speak with all their variations of conflicting emotions.

I create an emotional abstract style that often turns into a childlike abstract style, based on the daily discovery of new techniques, styles, artistic inspirations that motivate me and fill me with excitement to keep painting. I feel in constant evolution, experimentation, and improvement; I like not feeling confined and let art flow according to my sensations. I use playful elements, adorable characters, soft and curved lines, childlike thematic elements, patterns and textures, vibrant colors, and simple geometric shapes to convey a sense of innocence and joy.

These two opposite poles hid beneath the common appearance of a sick person who found a “hobby” to pass the time while their world was crumbling. For this reason, the need to make it visible through extraordinary means such as art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a good friend were in the city, I would possibly take them to the most magical and special place I know—my STUDIO, where we might immerse ourselves in a special moment enjoying good wine accompanied by a meal I’ve prepared. We would light incense, play good music to set the mood, and could spend hours talking about art, dreams, aspirations, learnings, and experiences. Outside my studio, I might take them to explore the North of Spain, where the beaches and coasts are places I need to visit once a month to replenish my energy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would need more lines to thank all the support I have had so far, especially from my husband, children, family, and friends. Thanks to Diego Tirigall as a mentor and friend. Thanks to so many artists who generously share their experiences and ways of doing things so that emerging artists can learn.

Website: karinegiffoni.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kgiffoni/

Youtube: @karinegiffoni

Other: tiktok – www.tiktok.com/@karinegiffoni0

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.