Today we’d like to introduce you to Fabiola Gironi
Hi Fabiola, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in the suburbs of Milan, Italy, constantly lost in my imagination—drawing, inventing stories, and creating entire worlds in my head. One of my earliest memories (I was probably 5) is the overwhelming pride I felt when my parents came to an open school day and saw my drawing displayed on the wall. It was the first time I understood that art could be something shared, something that connected me to others.
My parents were young and hardworking. My mother, who spoke English, worked in logistics, while my father balanced an HR job with his true passion—traditional Shotokan karate. A true samurai at heart, he instilled in me a deep sense of discipline and perseverance. I was an only child and spent much of my time with my grandmother, who struggled with severe mental illness. Without fully understanding it at the time, I absorbed both the beauty and the fragility of the human mind.
When I begged my parents to let me attend art school, they hesitated but ultimately said yes. Those years were transformative—I finally found my people, lost myself in life drawing and sculpture, and, of course, got into a little trouble along the way.
Instead of pursuing an MFA, I chose Art History. Contemporary art programs at the time felt overwhelmingly conceptual, while I was drawn to art’s evolution and connection to material culture. This curiosity took me across continents—from India to West Africa and throughout Europe—until I eventually landed in San Francisco, where I lived for seven years. While working in galleries, I immersed myself in the art world and, at night, taught myself painting through every online class and workshop I could find.
In 2017, I moved back to Milan and became a mother, which reshaped both my daily life and my creative focus. Suddenly, the intimate details of home, the objects we live with, and the way spaces hold memory became central to my work. I started painting still lifes and interiors, reflecting on the transient nature of home, and in 2023, I had my first solo exhibition, Domestic Magic, at Galleria Rubin in Milan.
After six years in Italy, my family and I relocated to Los Angeles, where I’m preparing for my next solo exhibition at Billis Williams Gallery in June 2025. This new body of work continues my fascination with interiors but blurs the line between history, memory and dream.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t always been smooth, but each challenge has shaped both my art and my perspective.
One of the most pivotal moments in my life came during my teenage years when I was forced to confront my family’s history with mental illness. It made me question my own mind, my imagination, and the fine line between creativity and instability. I found solace in books and art as a way to structure my thoughts and ground myself. Art became a way to transform something overwhelming into something empowering.
Transitioning from a stable 9-to-5 job to becoming a full-time artist was another major hurdle. For years, I balanced work, motherhood, and painting late into the night. Exhibiting my work in group shows and selling it was a breakthrough moment—it made me realize that what I was creating resonated with others.
Moving across countries with my family added another layer of complexity. Each relocation meant adjusting to a new culture, language, and art scene. But instead of seeing these moves as disruptions, I embraced them as part of my creative process. They deepened my exploration of identity and belonging, themes that define my work.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work blends autobiography, history, and imagination—highly chromatic still life paintings where acrylics, oils, and embroidery come together in layered narratives. I weave everyday objects with ancient Italian artifacts, like Maiolica vessels, to explore femininity, motherhood, and identity. My paintings exist in that space where the ordinary meets the mythical—where a simple fruit holds centuries of symbolism, and a vessel becomes a metaphor for the body and memory.
Color is central to my practice—not just visually, but emotionally. I mix all my colors from different primary sets, carefully constructing each hue to create a precise vibration. I’m fascinated by how color shapes emotion, how a shift in hue can transform a painting’s entire mood.
Beyond color, what sets my work apart is my engagement with material culture. I don’t just paint objects—I explore their histories and the weight they carry through time. My current series, Night Vessels, merges Italian artifacts with dreamlike interiors and imagined landscapes, reflecting how objects hold memory and meaning across generations.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people who know me as an artist wouldn’t guess that before dedicating myself fully to painting, I was part of the national Italian team for horse vaulting, traveling across Europe for competitions. The discipline, balance, and movement that sport required have stayed with me, shaping how I think about composition and mark-making.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fabiolagironi.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gironifabiola/
