Christina Tzani
In conversation with Dominick Pio O’Cruadhliocht
Q: Describe your earliest fond memory of childhood outings? The beach, a day in the park etc.
A: My fond memory is about camping with my parents and my sister on a beautiful beach on a Greek island called Elaphonisos. The sand was golden and the water was crystal clear, with shades of blue that I had never seen before. We spent most of our days swimming in the ocean and playing in the sand, building sandcastles and collecting seashells.
In the evenings, as the sun began to set, we would walk along the beach and watch the colors of the sky change. It was always such a magical moment, with shades of pink, orange and purple.
One of the unique features of our camping trip was the tent that we brought with us. It was designed to fit on the top of the roof of our car, which made it easy to transport and set up. Having the tent on top of the car also gave us a great view of our surroundings. We could see the beach and the sea from a different perspective, and it was always a treat to wake up to the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience that showcased the beauty of the Greek islands and the joy of spending time in nature.
Q: What childhood experience/s have influenced your direction to art?
A: As a child, I loved drawing and sculpture. I found these activities to be a way to express myself and explore my creativity. I enjoyed the process of creating something with my own hands and seeing my ideas come to life on paper or in three-dimensional form. I found that I had a natural talent for these activities and received positive feedback and encouragement from family members and teachers.
Overall, my childhood experiences with drawing and sculpture have had a significant influence on my direction towards art. They have shaped my interests and passions and continue to inspire me to create and explore new forms of artistic expression.
Q: Name a good or bad memory that has shaped you as an artist and how you used art to hold onto the good memory or how you used art to deal with a bad one.
A: As an artist, my work is not defined by a singular memory, but rather by a culmination of experiences that have shaped me. These memories could be anything from a beautiful sunset I saw during a family vacation to the way the light hit a building on my morning walk. Every memory I've collected has influenced my perspective and my art in some way, resulting in a body of work that is diverse and multifaceted.
Q: As a child, has there been an experience in receiving praise for art at school or at home, or even a local competition?
A: I do not recall any specific experience of receiving praise for my art as a child. However, that did not discourage me from pursuing my passion for art. I continued to draw and create on my own, and eventually sought out opportunities to display my work in art shows and competitions. Even though I did not receive praise early on, the act of creating and expressing myself through art was reward enough for me.
Q: Now, as an adult artist, can you remember a favorite childhood candy wrapper's colour, design, and imagery? Describe it as if you were giving it a review to an arts magazine.
A: One of my favorite childhood candies was the "whistle" lollipop with strawberry flavor. Its shape resembled a real whistle, and you could actually whistle through it! The lollipop was made of hard candy and had a hollow center, allowing air to pass through and create a whistle sound when you blew on it. The elaborate packaging had a happy face in the design, with blue eyes and the tongue sticking out. The design was so lively and bright that it immediately brought a smile to your face when you saw it. The simple design of the packaging, along with the bright colors and happy face, made these candies attractive to children. The lollipop was not only a delicious treat but also a fun toy to play with. I remember spending hours blowing on the whistle and trying to make different sounds with it. These particular sweets were a treat for the eyes and the taste buds, and I will always cherish the memories of their cheerful design and pleasant taste from my childhood.
These candies were one of the most popular sweets in my country during the 1990s and early 2000s. They were so famous that people often exchanged phrases like "Do you have a whistle in your pocket?" to ask if someone had such a sweet with them. The simple design of the packaging, along with the bright colors and happy face, made these candies attractive to children. They were also readily available in all kiosks and candy stores at an affordable price. In addition, the taste of these candies was truly exceptional. The slightly sour strawberry flavor was quite intense without being overwhelming. The combination of taste and texture made these sweets unique and very popular among children.
To sum up, these candies brought joy to my childhood with their cheerful design, fun whistle feature, and delicious taste. I will always cherish the memories of enjoying them with my friends and family.
Q: What sound reminds you of your childhood? Good or bad?
A: The combination of blue and red reminds me of the joy of my childhood, specifically when my father would come home from work wearing his blue police uniform and would pull out chocolates wrapped in red packaging from his jacket pocket. It was always a special treat for my siblings and me, and seeing those colors together still brings back happy memories.
As for colors that leave a bad taste in my mouth, I would have to say that brown and gray come to mind. Brown is a color that I associate with dullness and drabness, and it can make me feel a bit gloomy. Gray, on the other hand, is a color that I find to be quite depressing and somber. It reminds me of rainy days and sad moments, which are not things that I want to associate with my childhood.