ABOUT

"ART IS MY OXYGEN"

Artist Statement

As a Symbolic Expressionist painter, I'm driven by the conviction that art can transcend boundaries, and bridge worlds. Art is essential to my existence, a boundless energy that elevates me to realms beyond the ordinary, where imagination knows no bounds. With every brushstroke, I’m fueled by the pursuit of connection and meaning. My work is a reflection of personal experiences, revelations, aspirations, and dreams unveiling an inner journey through artistic expression. I explore themes of love, human bonds, open-eyed dreaming, life’s interconnectedness, nature’s splendor, and the profound beauty of human existence.

Through my art, I invite viewers to transcend the mundane, to seek the extraordinary in everyday life, and to illuminate the depths of their own stories. My dream is to empower others to believe in the transformative power of art and human connection, crafting a reality that resonates with hope and possibility. I believe that art is a vessel to our desired destination. My hope is that my artwork serves as a vibrant canvas, inspiring viewers to envision, immerse themselves in, and craft their own unique reality.

FROM ITALY TO AMERICA

Biography

Marianna Canu, is an Italian-born, self-taught symbolic expressionist painter, former jewelry designer and poet who shifted her focus to painting in 2011. Born into a family of metal smiths, real estate developers, painters and architects, her creative career spans several disciplines and decades. She is particularly known for her vibrant, expressive landscapes and figurative works that convey profound symbolic meaning. Her technique combines traditional oil painting with a modern, impressionistic touch, emphasizing bold brushwork , layered textures, and a vivid color palette to convey light, emotion, and movement.

Born in Sardinia, Italy, and now based in New Orleans, her life and art exemplify the boundless possibilities born from the intersection of cultures. Through themes of discovery, self discovery, and transcendence, Marianna’s narrative showcases the way creative expression can bridge worlds, and foster deeper understanding. Through her work she seamlessly integrates the elegance of European art history with her affinity for American culture, creating enduring pieces that embody optimism, empowerment, and a profound sense of connection.

Marianna draws from the richness of her roots, painting what's in her mind, while also adapting the raw energy of her soul to funnel her imagination. Her process is layered and multifaceted. Each piece she creates is an introspective dialogue rich with symbolic meaning, conveying messages of unity, love, human connection, the essence of life, and the profound beauty of human existence. She treats every canvas as a vessel for storytelling, leaving us with art that feels both timeless, and completely present, all while staying true to her artistic identity. Canu's philosophy that "art is oxygen" and "art is a vessel to our desired destination" shines through her work, as her brushstrokes powerfully testify to the liberating force of self-expression.

Exibitions and acclaim: Marianna’s artwork has been exhibited in prominent New Orleans Galleries and sought after by international collectors. In 2018, and 2020 Her artistry received further acclaim through two commissions from Louis Vuitton.

Current Exhibitions Include:
Currently at Wellington Galleries
Previows Exibitions:
NOMA New Orleans Museum of Art
Creason's Fine Art
Steve Martin Fine Art
Dee Dee Martin Gallery

Experience the unique blend of passion, imagination, and beauty that defines Marianna Canu's life and work.

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ARTIST JOURNEY

Early Life & Career

Early start: Born and raised in Sardinia, Italy, Marianna's passion for art blossomed early. She began her artistic journey at just five years old, marked by the creation of distinctive jewelry pieces crafted with wire and experimentation with vibrant hues and designs influenced by Roman architecture and geometric patterns. She would often request permission from her mother to wear her jewelry, only to dismantle it with her pliers to craft something new, a habit that frequently resulted in disciplinary action. Furthermore, she enjoyed venturing outdoors to collect dry branches, which she would then paint and arrange in vases as an alternative to floral arrangements.

Jewelry Design Career:
Before dedicating herself to painting, Canu was a prominent and successful jewelry designer, especially in the 1990s and 2000s. She launched her jewelry design career in 1990. Her pioneering designs captivated a sophisticated audience, fostering partnerships with high-end boutiques and jewelry stores in Sardinia’s prestigious tourist destinations.

Expansion in the U.S. By 2000, she had expanded her jewelry design venture to the United States. Upon debuting her collections, Marianna garnered acclaim for her designs and exceptional craftmanship, which harmoniously blended traditional and modern elements. Canu was an early innovator in incorporating magnetic clasps in various forms and sizes into her designs. Skilled in aging techniques, she also crafted reversible necklaces and pendants.

Nationwide presence: Her jewelry lines were featured in nearly 200 stores nationwide across multiple states,including New York, New Jersey, California, Colorado, Nevada, Rhode Island, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Celebrity clientele: Notable clients included TV personalities, politicians,and Hollywood celebrities such as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jane Seymour, Blake Lively, Nicolas Cage, Marton Csokas, Kate Hudson and Claire Danes.

Award Nomination: In 2005, Canu was nominated for an Alfa Award in Las Vegas, recognizing her success as a jewelry designer.

Other work and background
Beyond her primary artistic disciplines, Canu has also explored other creative fields.

Television: She has hosted TV shows for a Sardinian channel and appearded in several commercials, as well as holding a minor role in the action film Baretta's Island, starring Arnold Swarzenneger and Franco Columbu.

Writing: After her jewelry career, Marianna also pursued writing an unpublished children's book and recipe book. Some of her poetry and quotes were published on her website www.mariannacanupoetryandquotes.com

Transition to painting: In 2011, following an extensive career in jewelry making, Marianna shifted her focus to painting and writing.

HOW I PAINT

Style & Technique

I'm a self-taught expressionist painter, my style blends traditional oil painting aesthetics with contemporary, emphasizing bold brushwork and a vivid color palette to convey, light, emotion and movement. With an artist's intuition, I treat every canvas as a narrative vessel, pouring my heart onto it until every last detail is revealed. Mastering oil on canvas and paintbrush technique, I also create with mixed-media, forming a seamless bond with my trusty brush-my vessel for creative expression. I nurture a deep connection with each brush, using it until it naturally succumbs to wear, telling a story of dedication.

Every color in my custom palette undergoes a transformative journey, altered and refined multiple times to achieve the perfect hues for each piece. Each painting is brought to life with six or seven coats of paint, carefully signed, and varnished. The finishing touches include written details on the back of the canvas, my thumbprint as my final trademark and a certificate of authenticity that guarantees its value. Light, emotion, color, texture, and movement are crucial to my artistic vision.