2020 is on its way out of our collective memory, though not without fully overhauling life as we’ve known it. At The CAMP, we kicked the year off by starting from scratch, adding new and wildly talented artists to our darling roster (i.e., making loads of new friends), partnering with FAMA for a 40-artist exhibition, leaving our Little River home and setting up shop in North Miami, and even the launch of a brand-new virtual gallery with the help of Emperia, UK.
Which made us curious—how has the unruly intensity of the new decade impacted those we work closest with?
In the spirit of growth and community, we bring you The CAMP’s 2020 Roundup, a small interview series featuring reflections from our CAMP and CAMP Spotlight artists.
Rania Rangou. A Place I Call Island, 2019. Charcoal on paper. 200 x 140 cm.
Greek painter Rania Rangou, a member of The CAMP Spotlight, works along boundaries—full stop. Rangou’s body of work is a tiptoeing on the outskirts of structure, a delicate dissension from established habits, traditional approaches to her craft, and celebrating tension that often goes unacknowledged. Her pieces are born out of the clash between reality and perception. Through a blend of irony, grittiness, and sensitivity, Rangou’s works challenge our notions of comfort by making us question our own understandings of the world.
2020 has been a difficult and often tumultuous year - how has it affected you and your artwork?
2020 has been a very different from what we called normality year for all of us. For me, it is a year of decisions in silence. I realized that this is the only time I have to finally meet my expectations and not the art market’s, or anyone else’s. I decided to try and find myself, whatever that might mean.
What has been the biggest hurdle you have had to deal with since March of this year?
The responsibility to protect the elders. Imagine that I have not hugged my mother since March. I often think of Nikos Kazantzakis’ (author) quote: “Love responsibility. Say: It is my duty, and mine alone, to save the earth. If it is not saved, then I alone am to blame”.
Have you noticed any changes in your work?
I think my work has started (re)turning to a slightly more experimental path, reminding me of myself at my 20’s, when I just didn’t care to prove anything.
Have you noticed any changes in how people react and or engage with your work now that they can see it mainly online?
Now people are getting used with the idea of buying art online, using their imagination on how it might really look.
What has been the best thing that has happened this year?
My decision to be more self-motivated
Has anything surprised you this year?
The fact that people all over the world do not have a sufficient sense of danger. Also
the rage of people to buy tones of toilet paper; probably as a last indication of
civilization and comfort
Rania Rangou. Don’t Smile at Strangers, 2008. Acrylic on canvas. 130 x 130 cm
.
What inspires you currently? Do you see this changing?
The heroism and transcendence of health personnel during the pandemic
Is there anything (exhibition, event, travel, etc.) that you had to forego this year that ended up working out beautifully?
There were a few postponed plans.. one project I think will be rescheduled after the
lockdown
In the same vein, is there anything that quarantine/isolation has inspired you to start doing or practicing?
I spend a lot of time on philosophical thoughts, concerning change, sustainability, etc.
How does your process differ now that we’re all spending less time out “in the world” and more time with ourselves?
I like spending more time with myself, but I realize that I am doing things in slow
motion and delays, I hope I won’t get used to that way of living
How do you see this moment in time affecting the bigger industry in the long-term?
I think that we must realize the big social, political and economic change we
experience, and strive to find our pace, to create new paths.
Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions?
To keep my family happy, to compromise less, to think big, to act more. Life is short