Vintage colours, pastel nuances and a subtle melancholy infused to a slight solitude crystallize in Giordano Poloni’s illustrations. With the use of Illustrator and final touches in Photoshop, his exclusively digital works stop time yet setting imagination and fantasy to run wildly free, in search of possible narrative developments.
Giordano’s illustrations somehow gently brush the heart causing delicate nostalgia, through the use of colour that becomes a means of expression. His drawings speak out through the situations and the atmosphere he succeeds to create. Contrasts between real and surreal, dreamlike elements and representations of society, transpire a sensitivity to find dynamism; details conferred by the cinematic cuts that so much distinguish him.
Once finished his university studies in cinema and direction, Giordano works in the graphic and ADV fields, until he decides to change track in his 30’s and dedicate himself entirely to illustrations, consecrating his passion for drawing and comics. His inspiration in fact, comes from his collection of comics, music videos, films and photo books.
With his book “C’est toi mon papa?” (cover image), in 2018 he receives recognition in several occasions: Gold Medal Winner of the New York Society of Illustrators’ 60th celebration and an Award of Excellence for Communication Arts’ 59th Illustration Competition. He has also been selected by the jury of Bologna Children’s Bookfair on over 3000 participants.
During his career as a digital artist, Giordano has collaborated with The Guardian, Scientific American Magazine, The New Scientist, Random House Australia, Wired Italia e Wired UK, TIM Mobile, Il Sole 24 Ore, Rizzoli RCS and he is represented by creative agencies Agency Rush and Colagene Clinic +.
I come across his work almost by chance, and after contacting him we schedule an appointment to meet up for a few questions.
. . .
WHY
why and how did you end up in your career path?
I’ve always had a passion for comics since childhood. Illustration has always been something relevant but that I never really considered… In fact I still nurture the dream to produce comics one day. Around my 30’s, I decided to start drawing out of the blue. Considering the age, I wanted to set something that could bear work ends, I wasn’t idealistic anymore. I immediately wanted to create covers for books and magazines, and after collecting about 10/15 illustrations, I began sending them to art directors… that’s how everything started.
WHO
how would you describe yourself in a few words?
I’m a very wistful person. In illustrations I don’t like to be rational, I’m instinctive: I never reflect much on what I’ll have to do unless filtered through perceptions which come to me in a very impulsive way.
WHAT
what is your source of inspiration?
I studied cinema so that’s my background. Composition wise I tend to use cinematic cuts and I like its framing and angles, that may also be found in comics, and therefore have a rather peculiar dynamism. Speaking of paintings, I’d say I’m inspired by Hopper, and in comics Mattotti, even though it doesn’t transpire in my work. Emiliano Ponzi is a person I really look up to.
WHERE
where do you go to when you need a break?
I don’t have a spot in particular here in Milan. When I go back to my parents’ house in the province of Bergamo I walk to River Serio for short breaks. For the long breaks instead the place I prefer above all are the United States.
WHEN
when and what will your next steps be?
I don’t know which direction I want to take, but I think that in a long time I’ll be very distant compared to where I’m at right now. I’m thinking of a change in terms of technique and style. I’d like to write something narrative that has a figurative development. I want to reach something more complex than pure illustration… probably narrative.
**WILDCARD
tell me how an illustration representing your interior world would be like
A nostalgic illustration. It should recall my world from the age of 8 to the 20’s, vaguely adolescent. That long lost summer feeling. I have nice memories of the period between late childhood to adolescence.