Hi, my name is Joan João. I’m a visual artist from Chile and I’m 23 years old. This is my first exhibition in Europe.

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Gestural, expressive and chromatic.

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I think it was probably my grandmother and a classmate from school who was a few years older than me. They were the first people I saw drawing or painting, and they sparked my curiosity for art.

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I think that over time, especially now, there are more and more painters in Chile, and the opportunity to showcase my work or travel with my art motivates other young people to pursue their goals. It’s inspiring to see that hard work pays off. On the other hand, I believe it’s incredibly important to build a personal identity and not be afraid to show yourself to the world.

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I think the fact that I always use thick brushes and never use thin ones. That could be a good hint.

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When I was a kid, my friends and I used to go to internet cafés to watch videos together. We’d watch a lot of clips from the 2006 World Cup, especially of the Brazilian national team. But personally, what I remember most from my childhood is the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and how exciting it was to watch the games at school. Seeing the national team play was incredibly thrilling.

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Yes! Swans remind me of my grandmother and my mother. I’m a very nostalgic person, and being far from them makes me miss them a lot. Swans are a way for me to carry them with me. Also, I associate swans with romance and love. When I’ve experienced relationships, I’ve often linked those feelings to swans. I guess I’m a very romantic person, and that’s why I cherish them so much.

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Probably one from my 2023 exhibition, “Joga Bonito”. There was a big painting featured on the main wall, and I have a personal connection to it. That piece made me realize I could paint on a much larger scale, not just smaller works. I also really liked another piece from that show featuring swans — it’s very dear to me as well.

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Honestly, just arriving here was already incredibly motivating. Knowing the exhibition was only days away gave me an extra push. It was exhausting at times, but also extremely rewarding. I’m a pretty optimistic person, and I trust that things will work out, so I stayed focused. It was a mix of adrenaline and stress, but in the end, everything turned out great. The location was amazing, and the positive reactions from the people made me very happy.

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First of all, Zurich is an incredibly beautiful city. The architecture, how well the city functions, the efficiency of the transport system, and the overall quality of life are all amazing. The landscapes are stunning — being able to have the sea on one side and the countryside on the other is incredible. The seasons also surprised me. Right now, it’s very cold, but I hear summers can get really warm. Experiencing those changes in seasons is something I’d love to see more of.

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Well, that’s a great question. I’ve always felt connected to the number three; I even have it tattooed! So, being here felt like a bit of magic. If I had to answer, I’d say sports are my third place. A space where you don’t overthink and just feel and enjoy. For me, soccer or sports, in general, represent that kind of escape. If not sports, then literature and books are another kind of third place for me, very comforting and inspiring.

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I think we all have something special within us, and the key is to discover it and share it with the world in a way that feels true to who you are. Hopefully, it’s through something that sparks true curiosity in you.

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