“Sometimes, when I paint, I find that perfect moment when my hands and my eyes, “think” for me and my brain starts to think in images, colors, and brush strokes rather than words.”
Name
Anna Nero
Profession
Artist
Website
Where are you from?
Moscow, Russia. I grew up in Frankfurt, Germany.
Your style in 3 words?
kinky, funny, hard
Your weakness? Your strength?
weakness: perfectionist and control freak. strength: those same things
What makes you different?
Hmm, I don’t know if I’m the one to judge here. But, maybe this: I grew up in very different cultures and religions. I’m Russian, but also very German sometimes. I’m Jewish, but I grew up around Russian orthodox Christianity and catholicism.
When did you decide to become an artist?
I grew up in a family of artists. That doesn’t mean I always wanted to become one. My ideas for possible professions included surgeon, lawyer, and journalist. In the end, I somehow became an artist anyway.
What do you find most fascinating about the creative process?
I always wanted to do to something where I use my brains and my hands. Sometimes, when I paint, I find that perfect moment when my hands and my eyes “think” for me and my brain starts to think in images, colors, and brush strokes rather than words.
A few words about your favourite creation?
One of my favorite creations is the “Genter Raum” by Imi Knoebel. It is a room filled with wood panels, some of them are stacked, some painted, and some hang like images on the wall. It was one of the first abstract artworks that really touched me. It beautifully combines ideas of painting, sculpture, and installation and also blurred the lines of handmade, artistic, crafty, and industrial.
Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…
Jonathan Lasker, Tomma Abts, Henriette Grahnert, Mary Heilman, Andreas Schulze
Who would you like to work with someday and why?
I’m quite the lone wolf in my practice, that is partly why I decided to become an artist. Hated group assignments even in school. But I guess, if I could pick, I would like to work on some sort of artistic cooperation in fashion and haute couture.
A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?
In the past two years, I’ve started to make ceramics (besides paintings). In the first lockdown, I started learning blender, a 3D-rendering program. So, the third dimension is definitely a goal I’m navigating towards slowly. I’d like to create big installations or environments one day.
Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“
my family.
2021: Where are we going?
Dude, I’m not going anywhere right now.
When the going gets tough…
Normally I would say “just work through it”. Or, when I can’t focus in the studio, I listen to True Crime Podcasts and somehow, ironically, that calms my nerves. But right now, it’s really hard. I hear from my friends and colleagues that everyone finds it hard to focus and be productive these days.
Put on your future vision glasses: What direction is our generation moving in, what will our world look like in 50 years?
I feel like if my generation wants to be still alive in 50 years, we’d better start believing in science and finding solutions for big environmental problems. Instead of doubting vaccines and being stuck in technological and societal puberty. Otherwise, we are going to end up in some kind of “Handmaid’s Tale”.
What would you do if you could change the World?
Change the way meat is produced and find an alternative for fossil fuel.
If the universe is everything and it’s expanding, what is it expanding into?
No idea.
Tell us about your future plans…
If you want to make g’d laugh, tell him your future plans. Never before have I felt this saying to be so true. It is really hard to make plans right now, because we are all suspended in the air. But, as soon as ít will be possible, I have some projects and exhibitions planned. One of them will be a show with my mother and grandmother.
*(since i’m jewish, I did not spell out the word god)
Your city’s favourite spots?
I grew up in a part of Frankfurt called Bockenheim. I live and work there now, too. I swear it’s the best part of town and we have the best pizza and the best eritrean food (which is my favourite).
Last but not least: what is your favourite Song?
„Pass this on“ by The Knife
One last statement please: „Wood or stone, gold or art?“
Definitely wood 🙂
Your #…?
