10 Questions with Beatrice Sartori

Beatrice Sartori is a contemporary collage artist of Spanish-Italian-Swiss origin, born in 1968 in Bern and based in Switzerland. Self-taught, she has developed her own technique of artistic cutting and collage, a discipline that she explores with passion.

Her work has been recognized with various awards. Her works have been exhibited in Switzerland and internationally. They have also been published in specialized magazines and in art books featuring her collages and poems.

As an author of books for young people, writing is also part of her life. Her latest imaginary tale was released last year. She is currently working on a new youth project.

www.colle-art-bea.com | @beatricesartori_colleartbea

ARTIST STATEMENT

Her inspiration comes spontaneously from the elements that surround her. These elements can be the shape of a piece of paper, a reflection on a material, or a shadow in foliage.

She creates her works by cutting out, with scissors, each detail of a painting. When all the pieces are cut out, she assembles them and glues them meticulously. Some areas can contain up to 8 superimposed elements. For pieces too small to handle with fingers, she uses tweezers.

Her tools are simple: a pencil, scissors, tweezers, glue, and paper in a variety of textures and a rich range of colors. She likes to explore new graphics; she composes the shapes and then carefully selects the colors. Her works are characterized by a personal and unusual production technique. Her style is precise, graphic, modern, and colorful. She addresses themes that are close to her heart, such as joy, respect, and peaceful relationships. Her interest in the environment is also reflected in her creations, highlighting the importance of nature and our relationship with it.

INTERVIEW

First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. What inspired you to become an artist, and how did your journey begin?

My name is Beatrice Sartori, and I am a collage artist and children's book author. I have always been driven by a vivid imagination and a love for dreaming. When my children were little, I spent hours reading and telling them stories. These special moments of sharing, filled with magic, awakened in me the desire to write stories for all children. That is how this passion, fueled by joy, was born. I began to write and then explored different ways of interpreting my words through images. This desire to tell stories in a different way opened the doors to visual art. Thus, my journey began with writing, but it was an illustration that offered me a new way to express my world through images.

You are a self-taught artist. How did you discover your passion for collage, and how did you develop your ownunique technique?

While looking to illustrate my stories, I experimented with various techniques, and it was at that moment that I discovered paper collage. This approach captivated me instantly; I felt a special connection to the use of scissors, and I was drawn to the unique sensory qualities of paper. Over time, this interaction with paper transformed into a true passion. I developed my technique by playing with cut-outs, textures, thicknesses, and superpositions to create compositions full of poetry. What had started as a simple exploration became the medium through which I express myself most authentically.

Your works often feature intricate layers of cut paper. What draws you to this meticulous process, and how do you approach each new piece?

Collage fascinates me with its ability to combine multiple cut-out elements to create a new and cohesive subject; watching these fragments come together and harmonize is a gratifying and almost magical experience. I love the challenge of finding a balance between different layers and textures and the way each cut-out element finds its place within the whole. My process begins with a pencil drawing, which allows me to establish the structure of the piece and visualize its final appearance. Then comes the careful selection of colors. Once the shades are chosen, I redraw and cut out each detail on the selected papers. The assembly work can then begin: I adjust, arrange, and glue each element with precision. Some areas of my pieces can contain up to eight overlapping layers, which helps create effects of depth and relief while adding a tactile dimension to the image.

What kind of materials and textures do you prefer to work with, and how do they influence the mood or message of your collages?

I mainly use fine-grained or textured papers for the backgrounds, as they add texture and depth to my compositions. For the main subject, I prefer smooth-surfaced papers, which help to better highlight the details and shapes. I also enjoy working with papers of different weights, which I select based on their placement in the composition, to create contrasts in relief and density. Colors play a central role in the atmosphere I wish to convey in each collage. Depending on the theme or message I want to express, I choose shades that bring the desired emotion. Most of the papers I use are 100% recycled, which aligns with my artistic approach connected to environmental preservation and respect for natural resources.

You mention that inspiration comes from simple elements around you, like shadows or shapes. Can you explain how everyday observations spark your creative ideas?

My inspiration is spontaneous and intuitive. It is often the scraps of paper resulting from my cutting work that become the initial triggers for new ideas. For example, when I cut, a multitude of fragments falls onto my worktable. Among these pieces, an unexpected shape catches my attention and sparks an image in my mind. I quickly sketch out my interpretation of this shape before it fades, as this vision is fleeting. This quick sketch then becomes the starting point for a new composition. This process allows me to maintain a fresh and free approach, where each piece of paper can become the source of a new visual story. It keeps my perspective on the simplest things in everyday life - like shadows, outlines, or the play of light - keenly attuned, ready to embrace the unexpected.

Nature and environmental themes are important in your work. How do you incorporate these topics into your artistic expression?

My concern for the environment is naturally reflected in my creations, where I aim to encourage awareness of our connection with nature and the need to preserve it. This theme has always been on my mind, directly influencing my creative process. Thus, when an unexpected shape catches my eye, it intertwines with my recurring thoughts about the beauty and fragility of nature. These spontaneous inspirations often translate into works that invite a poetic contemplation of nature or a reflection on its preservation. Through my collages, I also seek to convey values that are dear to me, such as respect and peaceful relationships. My goal is to offer viewers a moment of dreaming, escape, and serenity while raising awareness about environmental issues. By bringing to life images imbued with gentleness and simplicity, I hope to create a subtle link between art and nature and remind everyone of the importance of protecting what surrounds us.

Your collages are known for their precision and vibrant colors. How do you go about selecting the color palettes for your pieces?

I pay particular attention to the choice of colors, as this step is essential for creating the harmony and atmosphere of each piece. My approach is both intuitive and personal, relying on direct observation and experimentation. I start by determining a base color palette guided by the emotion I wish to convey. Then, I take samples of these colors and place them side by side to assess their interaction. This method allows me to see how the shades complement each other, resonate, or, on the contrary, create interesting contrasts. By doing so, I can gradually refine my palette, adjusting the hues and tones until I achieve the desired balance.

Aside from your visual art, you are also a writer, especially for young audiences. How do your writing and artistic practices influence each other?

A story is an invitation to travel, a key that opens the doors of imagination; it allows me to maintain a sense of wonder about the world, like that of a child. When I write, I put myself in the place of the young reader who will discover the story, and I try to offer him adventure, dreams, and fantasy. This same desire to transport the viewer into a dreamlike universe is present in my visual creations. My writing nourishes my collage art, and vice versa, as both converge in this desire to tell a story, to create worlds where everyone can escape. By combining words and images, I seek to invite the viewer or reader into an exploration that is both visual and narrative, where imagination can flourish freely. This is how my two artistic practices influence each other, enriching one another with this shared quest for poetry and gentleness.

You've received recognition for your work both in Switzerland and internationally. How have these experiences shaped your artistic career?

These recognitions are a source of motivation for me and a valuable reminder that dedication and passion can lead to rewarding moments. They encourage me to go further, to explore new ideas, and to push my own limits. Being exhibited has allowed me to better understand the impact of my work and to perceive how it resonates with a diverse audience. These encounters and exchanges have enriched my perspective on art and helped me to affirm my artistic identity while remaining open to new perspectives. Each new exhibition or recognition is an opportunity to grow as an artist, to reinvent my practice, and to continue sharing my vision of the world with enthusiasm through my works.

Lastly, what can you tell us about your upcoming projects, whether in collage or writing, and what themes are you excited to explore next?

I wish to broaden my artistic horizon by continuing to explore the infinite potential of paper art. The idea of reaching a wider audience also motivates me, and I aspire to share my creations with new audiences, whether through exhibitions or new collaborations. On the writing side, I am currently finalizing a new project for young readers: a touching story about a scarecrow with a pure heart, yearning for freedom. This character embodies the desire to break free from constraints to explore the world. I can't wait to share this adventure, which blends tenderness and imagination, with young readers and invite everyone to follow the journey of this scarecrow in his quest for freedom.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.