the artist
I was born and grew up in Bolzano, Italy. In 2006 I began my artistic education at the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice. In 2014, I moved to Vienna, Austria, where I worked as a Scenic Painter for the Viennese Theatres, including the State Opera.
Despite my fears and hesitations, in 2017 I decided to finally bring out my wild side and embark on a real adventure; one that would bring me close to the animals I had been devoting my attention to for years. So I left my job and went on a journey. From Mongolia to Australia I would visit the most diverse natural environments, from which I would find great inspiration. Over these months I became more aware of the problems facing our natural world; fragile ecosystems, rainforests threatened by intensive agriculture, poaching and overpopulation. During this journey I undertook a project to raise funds for wildlife conservation centres in Thailand, Laos and Indonesia.
I still carry that beautiful time in my heart, which gives me creative energy to this day. Whilst waiting for the next great opportunity to visit other wild places on our planet, I live in Germany, near Munich, and channel my imagination in the cosiness of my private studio.
My Wildlife Art is part of private collections all over the world. I have participated in exhibitions in many cities, including Milan, Venice, Rome, Turin, Berlin, Vienna:
2019: ARTMUC - Isarforum, Munich (GER)
2017: ART is NOW - Basilica Sant’Ambrogio, Milano (IT); Performance “Pray for Elephants” - Vienna (AT); Oltre i confini: dalla realtà al sogno - Museo MIIT, Torino (IT); Art’è Donna - Galleria Civica, Bolzano (IT)
2016: Sperimentazioni - Elle Galleria, Preganziol (IT)
2015: Animalia - The Gallery Steiner-Art & Wine, Vienna (AT)
2014: Wild City - Forum Factory, Berlino (GER)
2013: Il sogno è l’infinita ombra del vero – Omaggio a Federico Fellini - Galleria Civica, Bolzano (IT); Art’è Donna - Centro Claudio Trevi, Bolzano (IT)
2012: Frames of Life / Nomadic / 100 - RossoCinabro Gallery, Rome (IT); Tra Umano e Animale - Grand Hotel di Alassio, Alassio (IT)
2011: Genius Loci - Magazzini del Sale, Venice (IT); In divenire - Padiglione Palmanova, Forte Marghera, Venice (IT)
Fascinated by the animal kingdom, I make it the protagonist of my figurative art, creating timeless images.
Implementing change through Wildlife Art is one of the goals I have set myself in painting for years. Not only by conveying a message of love for nature, but also in concrete form: part of the derived sales of my works and other artistic activities are regularly donated to organizations and associations for the protection of the environment and animal rights.
I love to experiment with different media in my work, and I don't shy away from new challenges, such as my performance art. Watch the Performance on YouTube
Fun facts about me
I became a vegan two years ago and survived!
My painting teacher told me at the end of the first academic year 'Maria Elena, you don't know how to paint...'.
My friends from Germany, and other countries where I have been, love my Italian accent when I speak English and German. I'm a bit embarrassed by it and try to improve it, but to no avail.
In China three years ago, the first monkey I ever met in the wild stole a tangerine from me!
