Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Fake it till you make it.
Because, if I don't believe in me, who will?
Patrik Lundell lives in Florence, Italy, with his girlfriend Jacqueline.
Patrik studies Fine Arts, and Jackie studies Interior design.
After only nine months together in Florence they have had a lot of exhibitions, designed a wine label and printed t-shirts.
Patrik uses street art to create attention for his art and right now he's preparing a big exhibition at Modo Wine bar.
Ever since I was a child I've received different painting tools and accessories on every birthday, every christmas.
What happened in 2007 that led you into painting?
It was because of my grandmother. She wasn't feeling well. I started thinking of her and -
- I found all the presents she'd given me throughout the years. A big pile of painting sets.
She was in a hospital and I wanted to give her something. So I sat down and made my first painting.
I was supposed to give it to her but I never had the chance to.
But that was the start and ever since I've known that my art is for her.
OK, here at my exhibition in Plaz the most important piece is this door.
I found it in the streets here in Florence.
And what I wanted it to express is a club feeling, you can tell by the music in this place, very good house music.
And with the colors I wanted them to blend in with this wall and I wanted to apply some of my characters.
What we can se here is Hobo, Gufo and Waiter.
After the door this piece is my favourite, Gufo occhiali di Vernazza.
We found these glasses at the beach in Cinque Terre, in a place here in Italy called Vernazza.
Before painting anything I started with the glasses. And from that the idea of an Owl came to life.
And the colors, again, I think work very well with this place.
Before Patrik started painting, he was insecure about what to do with his life.
After high school he tried different jobs but never felt they were right for him.
He felt it was important to make something of himself.
Sonia "Il Gufo" Berlincioni printmaker
(swedish subtitles)
If I know that, in a month, I have an exhibition coming up. I don't need to have all the paintings ready.
But I need to promote myself and the exhibition. And I do that in a kind of special way.
What I do is I use street art. But in a way that's, "legal".
Every tuesday the citizens of Florence place their waste in the streets for the garbage men to pick it up.
And so I thought, maybe I can be a garbage man too?
What I do is I pick up carton boxes from the street, cut them into say, 50 pieces.
I paint something on the front and then on the back I refer to different ways to contact me through social media.
Where people can see my art. And I try to do this close to my exhibitions.
Because I think it's fun and I think it says a lot about my kind of art as well.
And also it's a way for me to know, if someone tags themselves with one of my carton pieces on instagram -
- they'll show up at the exhibition. And that's exactly the people I wan't to meet there!
Sonia "Il Gufo" Berlincioni printmaker
(swedish subtitles)
Sonia's nickname's "Il Gufo", it means the owl. That's how they found each other, they both like owls.
Sonia work with famous artists and connects with Florence's art scene.
(swedish subtitles)
Have you ever felt like giving up?
Of course.
What are your thoughts in those moments?
It's very difficult. Because, for me, through all these years, I've known I want to paint.
All I want is to stand in my studio painting, have an art manager who tells me, "we have an exhibition coming -
- and need five paintings for that" and for me to reply, "It's cool".
Thats my dream scenario. But when it comes to making a living out of it, it's tough. It's very hard.
Sometimes it's been so tough financially that I've had very little money and of course I need to spend them on food and rent -
- but because I feel like, I have to paint, I have to create. I've bought canvases instead. I can't really explain it.
Last summer you met Jackie, tell me about that.
It was fantastic. My feeling was: I'm screwed. But in a good way. Like, there's no turning back. She's fantastic.
Jacqueline Tamm artist and Patriks girlfriend
When I met Patrik we both were insecure about ourselves, neither of us had that much self confidence.
There's been moments when I've felt like going home and giving up on this dream.
But she wouldn't let me. She knows I need to be here, I need to do this. I'm very grateful for that.
His progression here in Florence has been very strong. I think it's because we're both in the same position.
It's now or never. We need to take a chance at this, believe in ourselves.
I love him so much and wish him all the best. I really believe in him and it is important for him to know that.
Would you have done this without her?
No.
(swedish subtitles)
You look nice.
Thanks, you too.
Are you nervous?
Well, no, a little bit.
Hello, how's it going?
A documentary. About art.
What do you think?
Can you see? It's an owl.
Nice, but it's upside down?
Right?
No, why?
OK, thank you very much, have a nice evening.
How important is this exhibition?
It's very important. All exhibitions are.
Who do you think you are? Why are you doing this? Grow up.
(swedish subtitles)
If you can dream it you can achieve it.
Shortly after this was recorded Patrik and his art was featured in the magazine the Florentine.
Patrik is working on a new exhibition at a café called Volume.
This winter Patrik is also designing a new wine label.
THANKS TO
MUSIC
A movie by Emma Lobro