Giova, knowns as Giovanni Zamora, known as in the urban art’s world, is a Chilean Street Artist from Viña del Mar. For a few years, he devoted himself to Muralism and Street Art, painting the port of Valparaiso. This is where Giova lives now and where I saw his art for the first time! (add images, internal link and
Giova’s Vision
GIOVA particularly loves painting in the port cities for their dynamics, including tourism and multiculturalism. When he paints, he relates his art to the environment in which he develops the painting, to the people who live there, and their themes.
His murals take shape from a beginning as a pencil sketch in a notebook to the amazing walls he creates with his brushes. They are primarily inspired by the current Chilean society, which sometimes describes the revolution and the social struggle.
Q&A Interview with GIOVA
When did you start painting on the street and where?
I started painting murals approximately 7 years ago in the Ramona Parra Brigade. I learned the technique of street painting by painting political propaganda and making the designs of the brigade. After that, I got to know other graffiti techniques and I started to develop my style.
Who are your influences?
The artists who have influenced my art are mainly Inti Castro and Seco Sanchez, both from Chile. The painters in my family, I would say more directly, is where I learned to use color.
What else should we know about Giova’s background?
Basically, I also like conceptual art and social criticism. I think that a good work of art must have a good complement between composition, color, and concept. In that case, I always try to relate concepts when I paint a mural.
Your artworks are inspired by people and daily life, and sometimes the riots which hit Chile during the last few months of 2019. Can you tell us more about this?
Social revolt is always an inspiring reason to communicate a position. It is the space where street artists must go out to represent popular sentiment and spread it.
Giova, what styles/techniques inspire you?
I really like realistic painting but always with a more impressionistic and magical touch. I’m trying to get closer to magical realism.
You said that, when you create your art, you like taking as a reference the place where you are. What about Valparaiso? Do you see it as an open-air museum for street art, and is it a city where many artists live?
Valparaiso is a city made for urban art. Its architecture and the thousands of streets and small stairs give it that perfect facility for urban art to develop without problems. Thousands of street artists have perceived it this way and have come to paint here. I can’t tell you how many artists live here, but new ones are always arriving.
Have you collaborated with any other street artist?
In my life, I have collaborated with many artists. I like to share the painting and I paint mainly with my friends.
Where do you want to take your art to?
I would like to take it to everyone and be able to reach a good international level. This is at that stage of trying.
Have you ever attended any Street Art Festivals? Where?
Yes, I have been able to go to various festivals here in Chile and abroad. I went to the Dundas West Fest in Canada in 2018 and found Paredes in Spain last year. I would like to continue painting around the world, visiting many more festivals.
What are you planning for the future?
I plan to continue painting about politics and current affairs and trying to communicate a position towards the world through urban art.
