Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Diego Ponzuoli, I am originally from Italy, I studied architecture and interior design, than graphic design in Florence and visual concept in New York. I am an illustrator and photographer, for a long time I’ve been working as graphic designer and fashion photographer, especially in New York. Currently I live in Maastricht since a year.
What will you consider your distinctive achievement?
Through my art I always try to give a meaning by using photography in a provocative way. Most of the time is very direct, because I want people to understand it. Currently I am able to get a reaction from the audience.
What are the qualities or knowledge that you needed in order to achieved this.
I think you need to have grown up in a particular way, having tested yourself, and then you know how far you can go and your limits. Plus I experiment and research different ways of provocation.
What are you looking forward to?
I am looking forward to continue my work. I am really happy when I see people understanding my work and also being shock by it.
I look forward two exhibitions that are taking place in Maastricht. The first one is in January, at Rooms | Solo Soup gallery space titled Black Thoughts. It’s about my first period in Maastricht, which was not very easy. The second one, This is War, is about your daily-fight in order to live. I expressed this through photography and graphic design.
Which advice would you give to the young professionals?
Always go head, although sometimes you feel discouraged.
You need to keep moving, otherwise they will eat you.
What are the challenges that we need to overcome to make ‘cultural entrepreneurship’ more accessible?
It’s important to be able to generate good connections. Plus, I think it would be very useful to have micro grants that could support your business and art at the beginning.
