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.
After this experience I lived the last three years in Germany before returning to Italy recently. You will find me at Lake Garda, my sweet new home, or elsewhere wild and exotic, capturing new impressions.
My Wildlife Art is part of private collections all over the world. I have participated in exhibitions in many cities, including Venice, Berlin and Vienna:
2019: ARTMUC - Isarforum, Munich (GER)
2017: Performance “Pray for Elephants” - Vienna (AT); Art’è Donna - Galleria Civica, Bolzano (IT)
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: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 three 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 four years ago, the first monkey I ever met in the wild stole a tangerine from me!
