
Irene Raspollini
Born: 1982
Hometown: Scalvaia
Based in: Italy
Born: 1982
Hometown: Scalvaia
Based in: Italy
Irene is a full time professional artist born in Siena, Italy, the 14th of August 1982. Self taught painter, she developed her skills during years of experimentation. Her collectable and immediately recognizable style of narrative portraiture, with rosy cheeks characters heavily influenced by pop culture and kitsch, recently caught the attention of international collectors and galleries. In 2018, Irene was invited in Ciudad Nezahualcòyotl, Mexico, for her first solo exhibition outside Italy. On the same year, she was one of the winner of the Gallery Awards for being among the “excellence finalists” of ART Revolution Taipei International artists Grand Prize Competition, and was awarded with the invitation to show her paintings at the International Artists Salon at ART Revolution Taipei 2019. Her work has been exhibited in Italy, UK, Mexico, China, Taiwan, Russia, USA and Austria and features in public and private collections all over the world.
"Pinto flores pare que asì no mueran" - Frida Kahlo
What inspires you?
I'm inspired by literature, folk art and old pictures. I'm in love with portraiture and I am strongly inspired by the great portrait artists of the past, and since I'm a big fan of kitsch I adore everything that can be defined as such.
Describe your creative process.
I work mainly with acrylic and oil on canvas. I start with a concept, from which I realize a first sketch, then I work straight on the canvas. My paintings are layered and mix abstract, geometric and figures.
What are 3 words that best describe your work?
surreal, colorful, ironic
Who are some artists that have influenced your work?
Frida Kahlo, Antonio Ligabue, Medieval European painters, David Hockney
What is the most important tool when creating your work?
Pencil! The drawing is the foundation of everything for me.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Fail again, fail better. Ok, this is Beckett, but it's unbelievably useful when you have to start a crerative profession.
Where do you go for inspiration?
I live among woods, and woods are a great source of inspiration. I also love going to art show and museums, which are great to find inspiration and ideas!
Education
University of Ferrara
Italy, 2009
University of Siena
Italy, 2007
Awards
Gallery Award, ART Revolution Taipei
2018
Exhibitions
The Other Art Fair Virtual Edition
International, 2021
The world of Frida, Bedford Gallery
United States of America, 2020
Elevate
United Kingdom, 2019
ART Revolution Taipei
China, 2018
Persona - solo show
Mexico, 2018