ARTIST FLORINE IMO
She paints women who carry secrets. Women who look like they're about to plot something very mischievous. Terrifying, fragile, hypnotically irresistible. Imperfect goddesses, all of them.
"They are terrifying, fragile, imperfectly beautiful, powerful and hypnotically irresistible. They often look like they carry secrets or are about to plot something very mischievous."
Born in Vienna, raised in the countryside, scattered across Germany, Austria, and France with family — Florine Imo has always needed to change surroundings for a fresh mindset. That restlessness lives in her paintings.
Currently in her final year at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, Imo began her practice with multiple-identity self-portraits — figures always getting into trouble or facing challenges. From there, she developed the body of work she's now known for: the Imperfect Goddess.
Her process is disarmingly direct. She sketches first, always in pen — because you can't erase anything, which forces concentration. The painting follows the sketch fast, finished in a short time to keep the attitude and feeling of the work present. Loud music helps her step into her power. Women are her greatest inspiration.
Four lockdowns in Vienna forced her inward. There were days when making work felt pointless. But the time locked inside with her paintings made her think about her position as an artist in the world — and she came out the other side knowing exactly what direction she wanted to take.
"I mostly use a pen so it's impossible to erase anything — which makes me concentrate even more on how to position my figures and how to draw the lines."
Tell us about your greatest inspirations or influences.
- Women.
- Loud banging music — to help me step into my power.
- Life-changing events and people's life stories. I like the thought that we are all connected on a higher level, experiencing different scenarios but going through similar struggles. My paintings change and grow with my own mindset.
Tell us a bit about your creative process.
When I have a good work flow I tend to do nothing else than paint. First I sketch — mostly in pen, so it's impossible to erase anything, which makes me concentrate even more on how to position my figures.
When I have an idea for a painting I finish it in quite a short time, to keep the attitude and the feeling of the work present.
How has this year changed your creativity or how you see the world moving forward?
Before, I looked a lot around myself for inspiration. The effects of the pandemic made me turn more inwards. Going through four strict lockdowns was not fun — not gonna lie. There were days when creating work felt pointless.
Who do you consider to be an icon of our time?
- RuPaul
- Joe Exotic
What does wellbeing mean to you?
To be able to be present in the current moment and enjoying existing by itself. Making my own decisions for my happiness. To wish every being only love and light. To enjoy most parts of my daily life.
Many good days in a row make a good life.
But heading
in the right direction.
Imo doesn't hold back on the art world. "I'm a young woman creating what is considered 'more feminine' work. I still experience a type of play-down of the degree of seriousness in that combination of gender and aesthetic."
She acknowledges things are moving — but slowly. Social media is a blessing and a curse. She considers it important to stay current with what's happening, but the biggest focus needs to stay on your own practice. That's why she thinks it's important to take breaks, centre yourself, and only create the work you actually want to create.
"I also feel like the art scene, at least in central Europe, can be intimidating and often excluding — sort of like the 'too cool for you' clique in high school movies. I wish for the art scene to be a welcoming space for everyone who is curious, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or race."
days in a
row.
"To be able to be present in the current moment and enjoying existing by itself. Making my own decisions for my happiness. To wish every being only love and light. To enjoy most parts of my daily life."
Many good days in a row make a good life.
Discover more artists chosen for their ideas,
not their visibility.
Antakly Projects is an independent platform dedicated to artists, musicians, photographers, designers, and thinkers at every stage — from emerging voices to established masters. Every interview is selected for depth, not reach.
"I wish for the art scene to be a welcoming space for everyone who is curious, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or race."
More essays and cultural commentary from Leila Antakly on art, power, and the world we're paying attention to.
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