Today’s Notable Young Professional is Toronto-based artist Marco Bertuzzo, who’s currently exhibiting work at his first solo show at the Coldstream Fine Art Gallery. We caught up with him to find out what inspires his career as a creator and what advice he would share with other young professionals…
WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I’m an artist and designer working on my Masters to eventually become a professor of fine arts. But personally I consider myself professionally curious.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
When I was studying I had the opportunity to meet some amazing instructors. It was their passion for their work and enthusiasm that amazed me and made me want to take the same path as them.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
I’m having my first solo show at Coldstream Fine Art Gallery right now I’m incredibly happy with how the show has turned out. I definitely think I’ll remember it for a long time to come.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
After finishing my Masters of Fine Arts at Central Saint Martins in London I’m going to be continuing my artistic practice and hopefully getting an instructing position at a university either in Canada or Europe. Eventually I’d like to be the head of a department and showing around the world.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Determination. If you’re going to do something, don’t hesitate. If you’re going to do something, do that thing to the best of your ability; no excuses. That way, even if you fail you’ll know you gave it your best. Deciding to be an artist is a ludicrous decision if you really think about it, but I’m out doing it every day and with honest, hard work and it’s paying off.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
I support local food banks whenever I can, especially those for low-income families. Every family should have food to eat and the chance to make a life in Canada. If there is any way that I can help, I will.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge in my career has been the struggle for an emerging artist to start to seriously start showing in galleries. There is a big hurdle in leaping from what can be considered an amateur artist – having a piece or two in a group show somewhere – and having your own solo show. It took a lot of work and determination to get up every morning, work a full day, and then come home and sit down for another five hours at night and paint. It’s hard to create especially when it feels so thankless at the beginning. As I said before, it’s all about determination. It was hard to do, but I did it because I knew it was the only way to move forward.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
Notable is something big. Notable means something worth remembering and writing down. Notable is something I strive to be.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
Currently I really love Ocho bar on Spadina. It’s a cool cocktail lounge with things to eat. It’s perfect for a casual meeting or even a great spot to hang out and talk with friends. Plus, it’s close to so many other fun spots that it’s the best leaping off point for a night out.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
I’m a big fan of the website Cracked.com. It’s a wonderful hybrid of listicles and personal experience articles. It’s fun to learn interesting things and new perspectives in the world in an amusing and easily digestible format. The most played song on my phone is a song called “Memphis Soul Stew” by King Curtis. I love funk and blues, and it’s a really fun song.
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
I really enjoy following Elon Musk. I find it fascinating to follow him and Space X’s progress. I personally think that the beginning of commercial space flight is going to change our world and It’s incredible to watch it happen in real time.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
Berlin is an absolutely amazing city. Its cultural scene is great and the people are very nice, but I also have an eternal passion for Florence. Personally I want to travel to Reykjavik. I had a layover in Iceland and I became so fascinated with it. I didn’t know a place could be that beautiful.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Staying in on a Friday night. I have to work often, and as a sociable person I can’t help but thinking that there is a party or some awesome thing that I’m missing.
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Dungeons and Dragons. It’s super nerdy but I can’t thing of anything that’s more fun and a better way of spending time with friends.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
I have a terrible habit of impulse buying antiques. I collect vintage cameras and have a fascination with objects with interesting histories. I always feel like I’m saving a part of history, so it is easy for me to justify the expense. I wish I spend more of that money on clothes. I like to look nice and put together, and I do for the most part, but I would never mind a few new sports coats or shoes.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success is the freedom to do whatever makes you happy and make a living out of it.