A dream dressed in creativity, imagination and art

“She’s an eclectic artist”

This is the phrase that introduces the biography of the Italian artist, Clorophilla.

But what other words can we use to describe this woman who lives by the sea, a woman who is driven by her dreams and has been gifted with vast imagination and creativity, a woman who sustains on her memories, and a woman who has known how to make a name for herself in the world of art? Who is the woman who has put her knowledge about the history of art and photography at the disposal of brands and companies specializing in different industries such as Droga5, Gucci, Marella, Estée Lauder, Timberland, Freeda, Diadora, La Perla di Corvara, and Elle magazine?

“Clorophilla lives by the sea, she loves to travel, go hunting in the open-air markets, get lost in museums, draw while she eats, listen to music all day and always gets carried away by her curiosity.”

When we take a look at her work, we transport ourselves to the personal universe of Clorophilla, which is ruled by women represented through lines, diverse forms and a playful color palette. Clorophilla calls herself a reinventor of herself, of her position as a woman and of the world in which she lives, which she depicts in her art. Having spent most of her life close to nature, she emphasizes how her mind has maintained the idea of its prevalence and her fidelity to it, and assures that nature will always win the battles against humanity, a species that should be more respectful and grateful to its home and a greater source of resources for its own well-being. She recalls that his favorite animated series of childhood was FernGully, which has the degradation of the environment and the desire to sensitize the public to this problem as its main themes.

“Eve has always been regarded as the ‘sinner’, but perhaps there is an Eve in each of us, every time we say ‘no’, every time we think of ourselves and make decisions guided by our hearts and not influenced by social conventions.”

In the history of art, it becomes evident that there is a latent, constant and enduring bond that connects all creative manifestations with a place. What has been this link between the artist’s work and Italy, her country of origin? “I think growing up in Italy gave me the opportunity to have close contact with beauty in all its forms from a very young age. I realized only during my travels abroad how fortunate I am to live in a country so filled with history and culture.”

When I ask her what design means to her, her eyes shine and it is as if she is saying her name, as if she knows the answer from memory and from birth: “My intimate place where I can release thoughts, ideas and feelings without restrictions.” She appoints Pablo Picasso, Fernand Leger, Leonora Carrington and René Magritte as some of the characters from the past in which she has found inspiration recently, and also exposes that in her work there are no limits for the different means of expression nor in the use of materials: in this way, she manages to experiment, evolve her style and his artistic vision.

During these past months, in which time seems to have stopped, the situations we have faced – some widely announced, others that have appeared without much preamble- make us think that the world wants to teach us to live day by day with all the intensity that our bodies and minds allows us. Right now, we would like to close our eyes and travel to another place, to happier moments in our lives, to bring back people who are far away or long gone. The artist tells us that if she could bring someone back to life just now, it would be Basquiat, since now the focus is on serious events unleashed by racism. She wonders what the painter would have done, given that he was always very involved in anti-racist causes. What would be that exact moment that Clorophilla would freeze if he could return to the past?

“I tend not to look back: I try to live the present moment at its fullest. But certainly the university years were the most stimulating: my curiosity was inexhaustible and I felt really free to train and nurture myself with research that goes beyond the syllabus. I have always been a nomadic traveler, I like to explore new places, often very far away, but I always need to have a safe nest where I can return, recharge and appreciate the stimuli and emotions experienced during these trips.”

“Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though evil,
does not need the painted flourish of your praise:
beauty is bought by the judgment of the eye,
not pronounced by the base sale of chapmen languages”.
Loves Labours Lost of 1588 – Shakespeare

What does beauty mean for a woman who considers a T-shirt to be the garment with which people can communicate more effectively, not only their style, but a message? What does beauty mean for an artist who considers India the most exciting and intense place, a place where she finds diverse sources of inspiration and where she always manages to feel at home, despite the strong contrasts with her country of origin?

“For me, beauty is attention to detail and care in choosing what surrounds us every day. I love to surround myself with authentically beautiful things and I always put a lot of dedication into life daily rituals. For example, every time I cook I like to decorate the table in a different way; this is beauty for me, something that you work on every day. The beauty of any piece lies in the different tones that are used to convey an emotion, in the responses that it is able to awaken in its viewers. The deeper the content, the more stories you will have to tell, and in this way, you will awaken stronger feelings.”

From prehistoric cave drawings to our most basic childhood memories, humans have been in contact with nature and has been part of our fundamental education, perhaps because it is simply one of the most concrete and unchanging elements we have around us.

Through the illustrations and designs of the Italian artist, we can appreciate the way in which she perceives the sea, the forms she chooses to symbolize it, the stories she tells about water and her choice to live by the sea instead of world design capitals.

She confesses that she lives in a paradise. She also tells us that “being in close contact with nature is one of those things that makes me happy and recharges me a lot. After living a time away from the sea, I understood how fundamental it is in my life: it is my source of inspiration and my energy. Just looking at it I manage to regenerate and I feel very fortunate to have it near me; usually in spring and summer, between jobs, I take a break by the sea, and it is something beautiful!”

Color is often one of the most exciting components of an artwork. It can be used to create a mood and to express or awaken an emotion. In nature and in art, color has a profound effect on the viewer, it describes the way in which the artist lives and the principles by which she rules herself. In her heart, emotions are the compass that guide our life and she says that when we act with the heart as our guide, we will never make mistakes.

“I think color is fundamental in our lives, it’s therapeutic. In fact, in the darkest and saddest of days, I try to dress up in colors and prepare recipes to eat on dishes full of color. My favorite color right now is cobalt blue. In my work I like to alternate color palettes with essential monochromatic designs, usually black or blue, and balance them with a touch of red or pink.”

“My works are the direct reflection of what I live as a woman: portrait of the different women who want to be an example and inspiration for other women and who also reflect of what is inside them.”