Jem Perucchini

Artista, Milano

«I hope for greater attention from galleries and institutions in promoting young artists. I believe this can actively contribute to a cultural renewal».

Which theme has the biggest influence on your work and why?

There are several themes that influence my work: the interactions between cultures, the common archetypes and their representations in images and finally the neurological processes that trigger sensations and emotions through the observation of an image.

 Tell us something about your worldview which is specific to being a black artist in Italy / Europe.

 I consider myself first of all a painter, before a black artist.The fact of being of Ethiopian origins certainly marked my growth and consequently influenced my relationship with the society that surrounds me. Despite this, my origins are not the main subject of my work but an aspect among many.The risk is that sometimes the ethnic factor becomes predominant and we let ourselves be carried away only by this aspect. I believe that we young artists, first and second generation, should leverage more on our content and not on our appearance.

What would you say to your 13 year old self? 

I would probably tell him to create more time to discover new things, to read more to have a broader knowledge of what surrounds him.

What changes do you hope to see in your sector in Italy in the next 5-10 years?

I hope for greater attention from galleries and institutions in promoting young artists. I believe this can actively contribute to a cultural renewal.