Interview with Mat Solart: The Artist Who Promotes that Feeling Nostalgia is Good.

Developers: Mat, the title of the article is quite direct and emotional. Why do you promote the idea that "feeling nostalgia is good"?

Mat Solart: I believe that nostalgia connects us with our most cherished memories, anchoring us to happy moments, to who we are, and to what we've lived through. Feeling nostalgia can help reinforce our identity and remind us that life is filled with experiences worth treasuring. With Magical Recollections, I want to offer a space where people can connect deeply with those feelings and experience that connection in a therapeutic way.

Developers: How did your project Magical Recollections begin?

Mat Solart: It was born from my passion for digital art and my interest in vintage photography. I've always felt a special connection with black-and-white photos—those images that, though silent, seem to tell entire stories. I realized that by creating digital paintings of significant moments in people’s lives or of historical events, I was offering more than just an image; I was creating a space for remembering and reliving.

Developers: What kind of impact have you seen on people who acquire your artworks?

Mat Solart: Many people get emotional when they see their memories captured in a work of art. I remember once a client told me that her mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, recognized her father’s face in one of the paintings I made and smiled when she saw him. It was a very powerful moment. Stories like this confirm to me that my work can make a real and meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Developers: You’ve mentioned in the past that you’re interested in the concept of "nostalgia therapy." Could you explain a bit more about that?

Mat Solart: Of course. Nostalgia therapy is based on the idea that recalling important and happy moments can have a therapeutic effect, especially for older people or those with conditions like Alzheimer’s. In Magical Recollections, I apply this approach by helping people relive and reconnect with their memories through art. It’s a process that not only creates a sense of well-being but also strengthens emotional memory.

Developers: What are your plans for the future of Magical Recollections?

Mat Solart: I’d like to expand my reach through other items and formats, like blankets, pillows, mugs, and more. The idea is that these memories don’t just exist on a wall but also accompany people in their daily lives. I also want to explore art more deeply, perhaps venturing into tattooing as an extension of this same concept.

Developers: Finally, what would you like people to understand about your work?

Mat Solart: I’d like people to understand that Magical Recollections is not just a business; it’s a way to connect with who we are through memories. Creating these pieces is not just an artistic task but a calling for me. Each piece is a small piece of history that helps someone reconnect with something important in their life. My greatest wish is that when people see one of my works, they feel that mix of warmth, nostalgia, and gratitude.

Developers: We’d like to ask your perspective on something many people wonder about: how do you balance living in the present with the act of feeling nostalgia? In a world that often emphasises the importance of being in the moment, how do you find harmony between this idea and remembering moments from the past?

Mat Solart: I believe that living in the present and feeling nostalgia aren’t actions that contradict or cancel each other out; neither is inherently better than the other. On the contrary, they can complement each other. Living in the present means appreciating the current moment and being aware of who we are and what surrounds us. Nostalgia, on the other hand, allows us to remember and appreciate the experiences that have shaped us. For me, the balance lies in seeing the past as a source of identity and emotion that enriches our present life, not as a distraction or escape. Through nostalgia, we remember and celebrate moments that have shaped our personal history, and in a way, those memories allow us to live the present with greater gratitude and depth. In Magical Recollections, I strive to reflect this harmony, inviting people to connect with their memories without losing sight of the here and now.

Developers: To conclude, we would like to ask you a question as a summary of our conversation:Why have you been so interested in collecting family photographs, particularly old ones, which you use as the main elements in your artworks?

Mat Solart: First of all, I must mention that I have been interested in practices that promote well-being for a long time.

I believe that memory is an essential part of being human—a resource we can turn to in order to enhance our emotional well-being. Simply recalling an important and happy moment in our lives is enough to bring a smile to our face.

Using photographs that evoke such memories in our artworks is a way to bring those moments into the present in a tangible and meaningful way. Through my art, I pay tribute to these memories, recognizing their value and expressing gratitude for their ability to continue bringing joy, comfort, and many other positive emotions to those who cherish them.

Old photographs give me the opportunity to rescue moments from a distant era, where aesthetics, customs, and contexts were very different from today. This contrast makes them even more fascinating and gives them a special value, like little visual "gems" that deserve to be appreciated and preserved. Through the artworks, in Magical Recollections we strive to keep them alive over time, giving them a new presence in the present without losing their essence.

Likewise, while creating artworks from old photographs is our greatest pleasure, we also work with images from the present and any era, especially for the personalised ones.