Mia Cavaliero trained at Camberwell College of Art and at the University of East London, where she specialized in Fine Art, Sculpture. She has made site specific installations but now works mainly as a painter.
Memory has always been a driving force in her work Having trained as a sculptor she finds that the formal qualities of materials carry into her paintings. So from working with actual wire, string and nets, now their forms appear in the paintings.
Mia uses and understands the therapeutic aspects of using art materials to process experience. She recently trained as an art psychotherapist at Goldsmiths. She now works part time as an art therapist. Mia lives with her partner and two children in East Dulwich.
Her work will be exhibited in the Dartmouth Arms during February and March.
Who is your favourite artist?
I am influenced by artists such as Rachel Whiteread, Mona Hatoum and Rebecca Horn, who also work with processing memory. These artists place importance on the physical processes of art making as well. I love the work of the Italian Arte Povera artists and the process artists of the sixties. I am also influenced by the work of painters like Brice Marden, Cy Twombly and Ian McKeever.
What else influences your work?
I am often influenced by Writers. One of my recent paintings was a response to Kazuo Ishiguro?s novel Never Let Me Go and I borrowed the title.
Why do you paint?
I would say my work is an attempt to find visual metaphors for aspects of life that fascinate or obsess me.
Do you dream in colour?
Yes.
What is your favourite vegetable?
Aubergine
How long have you lived in this area?
Seven years.
What was the last green good deed that you did?
I didn't go to Miami for Xmas and I bought lots of energy saving light bulbs.
Do you have an imaginary friend?
No.
Are you a day or night person?
I am not a leap out of bed person but mornings are my most creative time.
