Francesca Apicella
Artist inspired by femininity, geometry, and a touch of the gothic.
Gallery of Work
About me
ABOUT
b. 1994, Surrey, UK.
Francesca Apicella is a self-taught artist living in West Sussex, UK.
Inspired by strong feminine attributes, she creates classic portraiture with symbolic, geometric and natural elements.
Her work tends towards mixed media paintings, composed of both oil and acrylic, among others.
Ultra smooth wooden and metal panels are the chosen "canvas" for these art pieces, adding to the mystical, humanesque-like quality of the finished portrait. With the final piece uninterrupted by brush strokes and texture, this allows the artist to add minute details and a surreal-like finish that would have otherwise been unachievable.
Francesca has a background in 3D animation and studied Software Development for Animation, Games and Effects at the NCCA at Bournemouth University. This technical background has inspired some of the more mathematical and algorithmic elements of her work, whilst simultaneously incorporating classic portraiture techniques.
EXHIBITIONS
2021 HOLY ART London - The Art of Self-Regulation
2021 TEBBS CONTEMPORARY GALLERY - Dreamscapes
PUBLICATIONS
2021 ALL ABOUT HORSHAM MAGAZINE - Interview and work/studio tour
COMPETITIONS & AWARDS
2021 NO NAME COLLECTIVE GALLERY - Semi-finalist for the November Challenge
FRANCESCA'S ART JOURNEY
Francesca was inspired to practice art after a long battle with chronic illness.
She was left completely bed bound for 5 years and had to rely on others for everything. After various treatments failed she turned to alternative therapies. One alternative medical practitioner advised her to return to one of her earliest passions, art. What started as an uphill battle due to such severe allergies that required Francesca to paint wearing both a mask and gloves, turned into a beautiful escape into a world that was completely her own. Her first piece "Philautia", from the Greek meaning self-love, started off this adventure. The idea that physically creating something beautiful would help her appreciate being trapped in a body that didn't work properly. It was this piece that cemented the revelation that Francesca wanted to practice art professionally. Each piece is a mirror of her journey, from "Serpentina", inspired from the ideas about progression and change, to "Aeonia, inspired by the ageless themes of infinite time and total freedom.
