Goia Mujalli – Class of 2003

Goia Mujalli, Class of 2003, became an artist since living in UK, and is making her debut this week at the Art Rio fair with her paintings. Gabriela de Lamare, Class of 2018, interviewed her for the website.


1 – How do you think TBS prepared you and helped develop your artistic side?


 


The art classes were really important to me, as it was the first place where I learnt how to use paint. The art classes were given since we are very young and it was there that I noticed that I enjoyed it.


 


2 – Why did you decide to go to London and what professional and personal opportunities did it bring to you?


 


London had always been a city that attracted me in the sense of its cultural scene. Especially due to it’s mixture of different cultures from all the over the world. I thought to study art in London would be a good experience. Barely I knew I would end up staying there for over seven years now. I must say it wasn’t easy for a foreigner to arrive in the UK. Culture wise, it is very different from Brazil. However, I enjoyed this shift of culture and it helped me grow and immerse myself even more in my practice. I recently got invited as visiting tutor in the Painting department of the BA at Brighton University, which I am very pleased and excited about.


 


3 – Have you always been focused on contemporary art or do you also enjoy other styles of art?


I have been researching historical and contemporary art for almost ten years now. I also studied Graphic Design before in an Industrial Design Bachelor here in Rio. I guess it’s good to be open about things.


 


4 – Since when have you been involved with the Mercedes Viegas Gallery and what is its significance in your career?


I have been working with Mercedes Viegas since last year in December 2017. I think it is very important to have someone that trusts your work and pushes it forward. I have a lovely exchange with Mercedes and I hope to grow even more. Next year I’ll have my first solo show at her gallery and I am really looking forward to it.


 


5 – What is the impact that painting has on your life and where do you get your inspirations from?


I get ideas from whatever life experience I have. Those experiences can come from reading a book, having a conversation, travelling, seeing a show, meeting people, walking, dancing, and mostly exploring the materiality of paint and what it can do on the surface.


 


6 – What are the greatest challenges you face daily as an artist?


The greatest challenges that I face, as an artist is how to always push the work and bring new experiments into the process. It is really important for the artist to always be investigating new ideas even if it’s within the same medium. Also, how to earn money as an artist is a challenge.


7 – How was the process for the exhibition in Art Rio?


This is my first time showing in ArtRio. I am really happy to be showing alongside amazing artists from the gallery.


 


8 – How would you generally describe the purpose and message you want to transmit with your paintings?


The message would be a sensation you get from each work. Each painting transmits a different sensation through colour and it’s interesting to know what response people get from it as this dialogue is also part of my process.


 


9 – How would you say that the TBS shaped you into who you are today as an artist and as a person?


Having had the opportunity to study at the TBS, it offered me to explore and speak a different language and culture. Most of the people that studies at the TBS spends all those years growing up together and we see people change fast throughout the years. For me, I would say the art classes really helped me see what I really liked doing as a profession.


 


10 – Are you planning any big projects or other exhibitions in the near future?


I will be showing in December here in Rio at the Jacarandá, which is an amazing artist run space. It will be a group show and I am really looking forward to show alongside these amazing artists, as it has been a project that has grew along this year.


 


11- Share some of the memories you most treasure from your days at school


The school has been a great place to create friendships that will be for life. I had amazing tutors that really made a change in my thinking. Still after graduation, I kept in touch with tutors and Mr Nash and Rose were really helpful in choosing which schools to study in London. The educational system really prepared me. I have been two years ago to the school and still tutors remembered me, especially Mr Dave Williams. I had an amazing experience and I think the peers were great part of it.