Francesca Galliani Interview
Francesca Gilliani is a mixed media artist whose images recently caught our attention…
After looking through her portfolio of dark, gritty images we knew we would have to get in touch.
Keep reading to find out more.
Can you please introduce yourself:
Where are you from and where do you currently reside?
My name is Francesca Galliani, I am from Italy and I reside in NYC
What is your current role as photographer? or current involvement within the industry?
I am an Artist
What led to you becoming a photographer?
I believe destiny led me to be an artist
You studied fine art and later achieved much photographic acclaim, how have these experiences shaped your practice?
Studying Fine art gave me a strong foundation on which to build upon, I resisted it first because i just wanted to do photography and I was close minded regarding doing painting, figure drawing, design…I could’nt understand how this would have any use, fortunately it was required in my studies to take to these courses. Eventually I saw how essential in my development as an artist all of this was. I first started with photography, then developed my own toning techniques and basically painted on my photo’s after printing with different toners. After 20 years of darkroom, my lungs started to hurt because of all the chemicals I was breathing and I took my work to the next step. Instead of toners, I started to use paint, oil, pastel, charcoal, words, elements of collage. The result is mixed media.
Could you please explain your process when it comes to creating your imagery?
I scan my negatives, I print them either on canvas or on fine art smooth cotton paper. On my last project, I used for the first time, a digital camera, so no need for scanning. Then I study the piece and I paint on it, and most of the time I add elements of collage, words and thoughts….
Who are you inspirations, and what makes you want to pick up your camera?
My first inspirations were the surrealists, Julia Cameron, Robert Mapelthorpe, Diane Arbus, Bob Rauschenberg and with time many more. I get inspired by going to the museums and galleries. All these people have inspired me for different reasons. What makes me want to pick up a camera is a need and desire to create. If I stay too long without creating, I slowly die inside. Creating makes me feel alive with a purpose.
Your work seems to use multiple techniques and camera formats.
What is your go to camera, and what equipment do you regularly use?
For 25 years I used a Hasselblad, since last year I have used a Canon 5d mark 2
Obviously with your work appearing highly analogue based, what are your personal opinions on digital photography, and where do you see the future of your practice?
Prints made from analogue are third-dimensional and that was not known til digital came along. Analogue gives you a depth of field and a richness that digital is not able to deliver even if digital has come a long long way and today we can make beautiful prints from a digital camera. I will keep printing from digital, but I am planning to go back to the darkroom, I just love the quality of analogue, This time I will wear a mask.
Your Asia series has a very eerie feel, especially capturing the strong haunting gaze from each sitter;
What was your experience of Asia, and how did your trip come about?
I love love south-east Asia, I love their culture. It was transformational to spend so much time in those countries. their attitude towards life is so different from my Italian background where there is a strong sence of judgement and discerning what is right and wrong.
Their approach is that to any behaviour there are consequences. It helped me to some extent to let go of such an ingrained sence of guilt. Travelling is very important to me, It opens my mind and it greatly enriches me. The first time I took a trip to asia I went to Thailand. I was supposed to stay 5 weeks and I stayed 6 months. My project was to photograph transgender people. I was so fascinated and I felt so happy and free over there that I extended my trip.
With your work being embraced and utilised by the fashion industry, how did you find the transition from fine art to a commercial practice?
Did this have any effect on your personal work or approach to photography?
I love both worlds but for different reasons. I was fluctuating more between fashion and fine art, but now I mostly do fine art. I love fashion because there is interaction with people. You work on a team and you can be creative within limits. With my fine art, there are no limits, creation comes from within, from a spiritual place.
The colours Black and Red seem to be re-occur regularly throughout your work, Is there any particular symbolism intended with this colour palette?
I love black and white because it distances you from the way we see which is in colour. I love red because it’s the colour of life, passion and death and I love the way it looks.
What are you current aspirations as a photographer, and how have they changed with the development of your career?
I want to expose my work as much as possible and have as many people as possible to view it. The more success I have the higher I am.
Have you any exciting personal projects or events that we should be looking out for?
I have a book coming out with Skira. Right now I am preparing for my next show in Dubai that will be in the end of November.
I started photographing voluptuous women and horses. I want to show the beauty that tends to be disregarded in our society so influenced my fashion portraying beauty only on very skinny bodies. I love horses and I have been wanting to start photographing them for quite some time.
In the world of fashion and photography who are you currently excited about?
In fashion I wouldn’t know. in photography the only one that comes to mind right now is
Robert Longo, There are others, but I am so bad with names…
Where can we view more of your work? physically and online?
You can view my work on my website, in NY and in Milan.
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