Polina 2018

Editor: Camilla d’Errico’s "Polina," created in 2018, is such an enchanting piece! It seems to be primarily made with gouache and perhaps some acrylic elements. The figure, adorned with bees and butterflies, exudes such a delicate and dreamy aura, but with an almost melancholic feel. What do you see when you look at this artwork? Curator: Melancholy, you say? I can feel that. It's funny, isn't it, how the sweetest things can sometimes sting a little? D'Errico often plays with this juxtaposition, like placing honeybees amongst the delicate butterflies; it's a push-and-pull I find really intriguing. For me, it is as if the artist reminds us of both the ephemerality and the underlying strength within beauty. It's as though Polina, a sweet spirit, absorbs melancholy as nourishment for new birth! And, might I add, those swirling colours make you think about your feelings for it. It creates that sort of space, don't you think? Editor: I hadn’t thought about the bees and butterflies as representing opposing forces before, that's a great reading! What’s your impression of how her lack of distinct facial features factors into the message of the portrait? Curator: Interesting, that! It allows us, I believe, to project our own emotions onto her. Is she sad? Or simply lost in thought? This universality, coupled with D’Errico's signature surrealist pop style, blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. Perhaps she's not so much a "who," but a "what" – an embodiment of feelings or memories, fleeting yet powerful. What is “Polina” to you? Editor: I can see that! I find that viewing “Polina,” now I've gathered these views from you, prompts so much reflection regarding our individual approach to processing intense emotions. It is really special and, I agree, somewhat powerful! Curator: Indeed, and maybe that’s what makes the piece so captivating – its ability to reflect our inner worlds.