CV - FRANCESCA BORGO
STATEMENT
My paintings are abstract reflections of inner and outer landscapes—spaces where nature’s quiet power meets the complexity of human experience.
Using organic forms, textured layers, and a palette grounded in natural tones, I explore the beauty found in change: the stillness before a shift, the energy of motion, the strength hidden in softness. Whether evoking the slow drift of clouds, the rising pull of tides, or the endless cycle of water becoming mist, rain, and river, each work invites the viewer to breathe and attune to life’s subtler rhythms.
Underlying this artistic exploration is my deep interest in cognition—the ways we perceive, experience, and remember. My background in neuroscience continues to shape my approach to painting as both a meditative practice and a dialogue with the brain’s sensitivity to pattern, texture, and ambiguity. I’m fascinated by how memory and emotion are stimulated by undefined, flowing atmospheres, how abstraction can trigger personal reflection, and how timeless rhythms create a space where past, present, and aspiration converge.
From another perspective, my aesthetic research focuses on the invisible threads that connect us across cultures, weaving Eastern sensibilities with Western aesthetics to create visual bridges between traditions, movements, and meanings.
These are not just landscapes—they are emotional terrains. They echo the impermanence and persistence found in nature, while honoring personal history as much as growth: traces of resilience, fragility, courage, and the quiet endurance required for transformation. In a world that often rushes forward, I aim to create spaces for reflection and reconnection—reminding us that growth happens not only in moments of dramatic change but also in cycles, pressures, and subtle shifts that shape who we are becoming.
THE PROCESS
In the studio, I shape sand with water directly on the canvas, then smooth the texture with successive layers of acrylic color and pigments to create subtle chromatic transitions.
My paintings blend a minimalist, restrained color palette with layered, interwoven undulating forms across textured surfaces. Rough, tactile areas are juxtaposed with smoother regions, giving each piece an organic feel and adding a three-dimensional quality that enhances its visual impact, reinforcing its connection to natural elements.
MY INFLUENCES
My work is influenced by traditional East Asian artists such as Fan Kuan, Guo Xi, and Li Tang, as well as modern and contemporary figures including Lui Guo Song, Lu Jun, Cai Guo-Qiang, Zhang Daqian, Zao Wou-Ki, Julie Mehretu, and Wu Chi-Tsung. I also draw inspiration from contemporary architects like Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry.
BIO
Born in Italy in 1970, I first explored the textures of thought through classical studies, then through a PhD and over a decade of research in cognitive neuroscience—eventually applying brain science to sport psychology, working with elite and young athletes.
But art—self-taught and soul-led—became the way I rewrote my life. Long before science, there was drawing. Over time, art reclaimed its place in my life—not as a pastime, but as a necessity. Since 2018–19, I have been painting professionally in my studio in Treviso.
In addition to my studio practice, 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 across Europe.
One of my paintings was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2022. In June 2024 one of my paintings was shown in a side event during the Venice Biennale, Italy.
ART FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM EXHIBITION
ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS - Summer Exhibition 2022, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London (UK). Exhibited work: 'Breathe me', June 21st - August 21st 2022.
FAIRS
THE OTHER ART FAIR - Dallas, TX. Dallas Market Hall, Dallas, USA. May 15-18 2025, solo stand.
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).
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.