CV - FRANCESCA BORGO
STATEMENT
In my research, I explore the dynamic dance between nature’s elements and the resilience inherent in the human spirit.
WHAT INSPIRES ME
My work draws inspiration from the flowing forms of clouds, the undulating waves of the ocean, and the ever-changing textures of the landscape. These natural elements serve as metaphors for the challenges and transformations we experience in our personal lives and social environments.
Using layered textures and organic forms, I aim to capture moments of transition—those fleeting instances where calm meets chaos, where strength emerges in the face of upheaval.
In both life and on canvas, waves persist, stretching beyond boundaries. Birds fly higher and farther, clouds move relentlessly, and mountains remain timelessly rooted to the earth's core. And so can we.
Echoing the natural world's ever-changing yet harmonious state, each of my paintings encourages us to embrace life fully, experiencing calmness, poetry, as well as power and energy. Even if only for a fleeting moment in our daily life, we can become water, peaks, rivers, mist.
Through my work, I invite viewers to find themselves in the ebb and flow of these abstract landscapes. Each piece is a reminder that, just like the clouds shifting across the sky or the waves reshaping the shore, we too are constantly adapting, evolving, and finding new ways to thrive.
It is an exploration of how resilience is not a rigid stance, but a fluid process—a journey that requires both the gentleness to bend with change and the energy to face it head-on.
In today’s world, where the pace of life often feels unpredictable, my art speaks to the universal experiences of growth, adaptation, and the quiet strength that lies beneath the surface of every turbulent wave.
Through these pieces, I hope to create a space where viewers can see their own stories—where they can find comfort in nature’s wisdom and inspiration in its endless capacity for renewal.
It’s like becoming countless acts of beauty and courage that can be given and taken, offered, and enjoyed.
THE PROCESS
In the studio, I transform these impressions and emotions into streams of sandy textures, first shaped by water and my hands on the canvas, then smoothed by subtle chromatic transitions.
My aesthetic approach emphasizes the fluidity of movement, blending soft, ethereal tones with more intense, vibrant passages that evoke the powerful forces at play in nature.
These contrasts reflect the balance we all seek. The need to adapt like a bending tree in the wind, and the courage to face life’s challenges with the strength of a crashing wave.
Blending a minimalist, restrained color palette with layered and interwoven undulating forms, each painting creates a sense of depth and complexity that draws the viewer's eye across the canvas, offering an emotionally resonant journey.
Texture plays a significant role in my paintings, with rough, tactile surfaces juxtaposed against smoother regions, giving the piece an organic feel. The textured areas add a three-dimensional quality to the work, enhancing its visual impact and reinforcing its connection to natural elements.
The swirling forms and dynamic contrasts evoke a sense of awe and connection to the natural world, reminiscent of natural phenomena such as wind, waves, geological formations, or animals moving as one. These elements symbolize nature's power and beauty that can be our own source of courage.
Each painting traces a symbolic journey for us to become part of nature — fragile, brave, and beautiful. Again and again.
MY INFLUENCES
My work is influenced by traditional East Asian artists such as Fan Kuan, Guo Xi, Li Tang, as well as modern and contemporary artists like Qi Baishi, Zhang Daqian, Zao Wou-Ki, Lu Jun, Julie Mehretu, and Wu Chi-Tsung. I am also inspired by contemporary architects like Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry.
MY STORY
Born in northern Italy in 1970, I am a self-taught painter living and working in Treviso, Italy.
I prefer images to words when expressing my desire for growth, change, and reaching new heights—that’s why I paint.
I have been drawing since childhood but began painting professionally in 2018-19. Now, I can't miss my 'daily dates' with colors, sand, and canvas. This is how I know I am truly myself. Painting is my way to know that I’m into my skin.
The highlights of my career so far?
My painting 'Breathe me' was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts - Summer Exhibition 2022 in London, UK.
In addition to my studio work, I collaborate with art advisors and interior designers on residential, hotel, and hospitality projects.
My works are part of private collections in the USA, UK, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, and Europe.
ART FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS
FAIRS
THE OTHER ART FAIR - Brooklyn, NY. ZeroSpace, Brooklyn, New York, USA. 17-20 October 2024.
THE OTHER ART FAIR - Brooklyn, NY. ZeroSpace, Brooklyn, New York, USA. 16-19 May 2024.
THE OTHER ART FAIR - Los Angeles. Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, CA, USA. 4 - 7 Apr 2024.
THE OTHER ART FAIR - Los Angeles. Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, CA, USA. 21 - 24 Sep 2023.
THE OTHER ART FAIR - London. West Handyside Canopy, King's Cross, London, UK. 29 Jun -3 Jul 2023.
THE OTHER ART FAIR - Brooklyn, NY. Brooklyn Navy Yard, Agger Fish, Brooklyn, New York, USA. 18-21 May 2023
THE OTHER ART FAIR - London. The Old Truman Brewery, London, UK. 17-21 Mar 2022.
THE OTHER ART FAIR - Global Virtual Edition. 8-29 Nov 2021.
START Art Fair 2020. Saatchi Gallery, London (UK). 21-25 Oct 2020.
Art Marbella 2020. Palacios de feiras, congresos y exposiciones de Marbella, Malaga, Spain. 24 Sep - 3 Oct 2020. With Van Gogh Art Gallery (Madrid, Spain).
EuropArtFair 2019, Westergas, Amsterdam (NL), 6-8 Dec 2019.
THE OTHER ART FAIR - London. Victoria House, Southampton Row, London, UK. 3-6 Oct 2019.
THE OTHER ART FAIR - London. West Handyside Canopy, King's Cross, London, UK. 4-7 Jul 2019.
THE OTHER ART FAIR - London. The Old Truman Brewery, London, UK. 14-17 Mar 2019.
Art Shopping Paris. Carrousel du Louvre, 21st Edition, Paris, France. 19- 21 Oct. 2018.
Art Innsbruck, 22nd International Art Fair. Innsbruck, Austria. 25-28 Jan 2018. With QueenArtStudio (Padua, Italy).
Art Shopping Paris. Carrousel du Louvre, 20th Edition. 20-22 Oct 2017. With QueenArtStudio (Padua, Italy).
MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS
ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS - Summer Exhibition 2022, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London (UK). Exhibited work: 'Breathe me', June 21st - August 21st 2022.
EXHIBITIONS
Beyond borders. Group exhibition at Brain Art Exhibition during the annual meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping, COEX Convention and Exhibition Center, Seoul, Korea. 23-27 June 2024.
The Land of Silence. Group exhibition at MUSA PAVILION during 60th Biennale di Venezia, Palazzo Pisani Revedin, Venice, Italy. 4-10 June 2024.
BerScia. Group exhibition at Bargnani Dandolo Palace, Adro (Brescia), Italy. 18-30 March 2023. Within the events and shows organized for ‘Brescia & Bergamo Capital of Culture 2023’.
Light atmospheres. Personal exhibition at Solis Art Gallery, within ‘Lights and shadows’, tri-personal exhibition, Brescia. Italy. 28 Jan - 28 Feb 2023.
The Beauty of the Fall. Group exhibition at Eclectic Gallery, London, UK. 18 Oct-5 Nov 2022.
The Light Beyond. Group exhibition at Eclectic Gallery, London, UK. 9-27 Aug 2022.
Stories I Tell Myself. Virtual online group exhibition. Visionary Art Collective. 26 Mar -30 Apr 2022.
Epiphany. Group exhibition. The Factory art gallery, London, UK, 04-10 Mar 2022.
Home. Virtual online group exhibition. Arts to Hearts project. 30 Jan - 2 Mar 2022.
Winter. Virtual online group exhibition. Tebbs Contemporary Art Gallery. 15 Dec 2021 - 14 Jan 2022.
Abstract or Informal? Group exhibition. ARTtime Gallery, Udine, Italy. 26 Apr - 10 May 2021.
Arte in studio. Group exhibition organized by ArteMea Advisory and Serena Cassissa, Milan, Italy, from 25 Jul 2019 - Sep 2020.
Confini. Personal exhibition. Studiofficina Architettura, Schio (Vicenza), Italy. 24 May - 7 Jun 2019.
Elegia contemporanea. Mini personal exhibition. Antica Saliera, Lecce, Italy. 30 Mar - 14 Apr 2019.
International Art Contest “I Dauni”. Palazzo Bellusci, Vieste (Foggia), Italy. 30 Mar - 27 Apr 2019.
Animus et Anima. Complesso S. Severo al Pendino, Naples, Italy. 23 Feb - 6 Mar 2019.
IO | ES | SUPER-IO, Istanze d'arte contemporanea. Antica Saliera, Lecce, Italy. 29 Sep - 7 Oct 2018.
Stanze. Labirinti d'arte e poesia. Antica Saliera, Lecce, Italy. 4 Aug - 4 Sep 2018.
On Tour Venice. Galleria Art Studio Larkina, Venice, Italy. 22-29 Jun 2018.
Carta bianca. Galleria Merlino, Florence, Italy. 15- 23 Jun 2018.
Rivelazioni. Galleria Merlino, Florence, Italy. 17- 31 May 2018.
Dentro l'arte. Galleria Merlino, Florence, Italy. 7- 16 May 2018.
Experiments. Galleria Merlino, Florence, Italy. 30 Apr-5 May 2018.
Anatomia della bellezza. Casa Cava, Matera, Italy – 30 Mar-6 Apr 2018.
Ricerche di stile. Galleria Merlino, Florence, Italy. 5-19 Mar 2018.
I Biennale della Brianza. Monastero del Lavello, Lecco, Italy. 2-6 Mar 2018.
La camera delle meraviglie. Galleria D'Arte Mentana, Florence, Italy. 26 Feb-06 Mar 2018.
Impronte d'arte. Galleria Merlino, Florence, Italy. 21 Feb-03 Mar 2018.
Affordable Art. Galleria Merlino, Florence, Italy. 19-29 Jan 2018.
AWARDS
1st prize with ‘Suspended’. I Biennale della Brianza. Monastero del Lavello, Lecco, Italy. 2-6 Mar 2018.