Artist Spotlight - Mara Montagna — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Biography

I am Mara Montagna and I am a painter.
Since retiring, painting has become my primary pursuit. I have loved painting and drawing since childhood, though my educational and professional path led me to a 42-year career in teaching.

Nel canyon di Hocney, 2024, Acrilico, Collage su Legno 80 x 60 cm

I managed to bring painting back into my life by attending evening classes at my local art high school. It was a valuable experience—not only for learning but also for sharing ideas and engaging with others—that allowed me to elevate my painting to a professional level. This helped me view myself as a painter in my own right, rather than merely a hobbyist.

Giglio blu, 2024, Acrilico, Collage su Legno 94 x 94 cm

I began to explore and define my artistic identity. I started engaging with the wider art world by participating in exhibitions at local and, subsequently, national galleries in cities such as Palermo, Milan, Forlì, Cesenatico, Genoa, and Mantua.

La dolce luce della sera, 2026, Acrilico, Collage su Legno 68 x 58 cm

Encouraged by the positive reception, I expanded my reach to international venues—including the Luxembourg Art Prize and the MEAM in Barcelona— exhibited with "Effetto Arte" in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington and I am participating in the exhibition “The Harmony of Vision” at Fine Art Gallery in Hong Kong, with the "Artelibre" Gallery in Madrid. My work is featured on platforms such as Singulart and Gigarte, as well as in Contemporary Art Curator Magazine.

Amico mio 2025, Acrilico su Legno 83 x 54 cm

Some of my works have been published in national art yearbooks and catalogs, including ART NOW and Artisti (2024, 2025, and 2026 editions).

A spasso con David 2024, Acrilico, Collage su Legno 122 x 75 cm

Artist Statement

"What we do is shaped by who we are."
The onset of the illness was sudden and devastating, shattering every certainty; yet, my reaction—and my refusal to give in—strengthened my will to live. I want my song to ring out loud and free, despite the looming, furious winds. Through spirit and creativity, I feel I can still soar without limits.

Percorsi, 2018, Acrilico su Tela 100 x 70 cm

This journey is reflected in the vibrant, intense colors I use across all my techniques. The colors explode, come alive, and glow. My choice of subjects also answers a personal need. I do not create to please others, but to express my inner world— memories, feelings, and ideas.

Colori liberi, 2024,Acrilico, Pastello a olio su Cartone 60 x 47 cm

I love the technique I’ve developed of combining collage with acrylic paints. It reflects who I am through the richness of the composition—a blend of color and complex textures created by layering fabrics. In doing so, I craft a fantastical world that satisfies my imagination—a world I delight in sharing with the viewer.

Tra le spire, 2025, Inchiostro di china, Pastello a olio su Carta 42 x 30 cm

As my illness progressed, I had to adapt to my changing physical abilities. I didn't stop. Instead, I turned more toward abstract painting and photography. In abstract painting, intention meets chance. I let freedom take the lead in these works, allowing colors to flow across the canvas and letting their paths guide my choices.

Fibre vitali 2026, foto su tela, 60x80 cm.

It is a constant interplay between my intent and the spontaneity of the gesture, making the act of painting itself the subject of the work. Layering the paint creates a texture that adds depth and reveals the temporal history of the creative process.

Ciò che resta, 2026, foto su carta, 80x60 cm.

In my photography, I maintain an interest in abstraction by transforming the subject matter. I select specific details—fragments of objects—and turn them into abstract works by stripping away their original context and rendering them unrecognizable.

Nel silenzio dei miei passi, 2026, foto su alluminio, 50x60 cm.

I love seeing what lies within, what is not visible on the surface and creating what is not there, thereby allowing the viewer a more emotional approach.

https://www.singulart.com/it/pittura/montagna
@mara_montagna_
www.maramontagna.it
https://www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com/home-2/mara-montagna-spotlight
https://www.contemporary-art-collectors.com/interviews/mara-montagna
https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Mara-Montagna