To see the world through the eyes of Sandra Manzi is to enter a realm of infinite possibilities. As a contemporary realist painter based in Hamilton, Ontario, she finds inspiration everywhere in her midst.
“My paintings are a manifestation of my deep exploration into the human experience and the raw emotions that reside within us. My aim is to evoke a sense of connection and introspection for the other people we share this world with, inviting viewers to embark on a personal journey of self-discovery,” Manzi explains.
The interplay between painting and photography has been a constant source of intrigue for Manzi, igniting her imagination and spurring her signature style.
“My paintings are based on photographs taken by myself and ones derived from several sources. I layer and juxtapose these photographs, playing with several variations of a theme, in order to express ideas and emotions visually.”
Those ideas and emotions are intertwined with the five human senses, or to human interaction. Like other artists over the centuries, Manzi has a predilection for painting the human figure, the portrait, genre scenes, cityscapes, and florals. However, she paints them through a contemporary filter—through the eyes of a world that relies heavily on experiencing life through a mediated digital lens of some sort.
“This is my starting point, and I use it as a springboard to play with more traditional aesthetic pursuits, such as colour, light, the tension between realism and abstraction, as well as composition.”
Utterly mesmerizing, Manzi’s paintings explore chance encounters and serendipity. These elements come to life, freezing moments in time as her creativity unravels.
“Some of the general themes that do arise reflect my fascination with human nature, nostalgia, symbolism, memory, and how it gets distorted through the passage of time.”
Montages of great depth, and akin to looking through a kaleidoscope, Manzi’s paintings entice viewers to reflect, and continuously recalibrate.
“Through this process, I’m allowing viewers to contemplate the hidden narratives at play and the effect they may have on more of a subconscious level.”
Manzi’s debut to the world took place on a blustery winter’s day in Toronto, Ontario. It was December 21,1964. Born to Italian parents who made their way to Canada’s shores like others of their generation in the post Second World War period, her father is from Rome, whereas her mother’s roots lie further south, in Racalmuto.
Manzi’s love for art began to flourish in her formative years. Her paternal grandfather, Giuseppe Manzi, who had a passion for art and music, recognized her adeptness early on, and encouraged her to forge ahead. Elated, she continued to hone her skills in drawing.
“I was a very introverted child, and I remember spending a lot of time copying comic book characters. When it was time to decide on a high school, my guidance counsellor suggested I go into the art program at Central Technical School in Toronto, so I spent the next five years there,” she comments.
Manzi would proceed to earn a diploma in fine arts/experimental arts from the Ontario College of Art, currently known as the Ontario College of Art and Design University, followed by a Bachelor’s of Arts in fine arts from the University of Guelph.
“Those are the places where I really started to develop a love for art history, as well as contemporary art concurrently.”
Manzi’s Italian background has inspired and influenced her approach to art, and the unique way she paints. The most notable artists who have left an indelible impression on her include Caravaggio, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Frans Hals, John Singer Sargent, Joaquín Sorolla, Diego Velázquez, and Johannes Vermeer.
“For more contemporary artists, I love Lucian Freud for his brushwork, and Eric Fischl for his narrative aspects, but there are so many more I look at every day.”
Manzi is also inspired by photographers; particularly the genre of street photography.
“I love the work of both Vivian Maier and Beat Streuli, who are known for their candid street photography. I also love the work of Sally Mann.”
Immersed in the world of art for as long as she can remember, Manzi was employed at the Art Gallery of Ontario for 30 years, where she worked in a range of capacities. The time she spent as an art handler was particularly memorable.
“One special day, while I was working in the vaults, I got to handle Tom Thomson’s 1917 painting, The West Wind. I was part of a group of art handlers who had to take it out of its frame, in order to be photographed.”
In the autumn of 2022, Manzi was ready for a change. She decided to move from Toronto to Hamilton in order to devote her time to painting, her true calling. Currently, her paintings grace private collections throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. She’s also represented by several art galleries in Ontario, as well as one in the United States. They include: the Art Gallery of Ontario, Elaine Fleck Gallery, and Art Interiors in Toronto; Crown and Press Gallery in Hamilton; Summer and Grace Gallery in Oakville; Noma Gallery in Collingwood; and Christoper-Clark Fine Art in San Francisco.
Right in her element, Manzi continues to do what she loves, and her paintings are frequently showcased in art exhibitions. To her, painting is an inseparable part of her.
“It gives my life purpose. I wake up in the morning knowing I’ll never be bored, because even if I can’t paint that day, I’m always thinking of art or what my next project will be—whether I’m at home reading, out for a walk, or travelling. Everything I experience has the potential to be my next painting and that excites me.”
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