b. 1994, Surrey, UK.
Francesca Apicella is a self-taught artist living in West Sussex, UK.
Inspired by vintage glamour, she uses classic painting techniques to create portraiture, with symbolic, geometric and natural elements.
Her work tends towards mixed media paintings, composed of both oil and acrylic, among others.
Ultra smooth wooden and metal panels are the chosen "canvas" for these art pieces, adding to the mystical, humanesque-like quality of the finished portrait. With the final piece uninterrupted by brush strokes and texture, this allows the artist to add minute details and a surreal-like finish that would have otherwise been unachievable.
Francesca has a background in 3D animation and studied Software Development for Animation, Games and Effects at the NCCA at Bournemouth University. This technical background has inspired some of the more mathematical and algorithmic elements of her work, whilst simultaneously incorporating classic portraiture techniques.
Upcoming Events
2023 OUTSIDE IN, HUMANITY EXHIBITION, Hove Museum of Creativity ~ 25th November 2023 - 1st January 2024
2023 SOLO EXHIBITION, Tavistock & Portman, 120 Belsize Ln, London, NW3 5BA ~ Throughout December 2023
2023 ARTCAN, THEN & NOW EXHIBITION, Virtual Exhibition ~ 1st December 2023 - 1st February 2024
2024 MYNT IMAGES, CHICHESTER CRAFT MARKET, Chichester Assembly Rooms ~ 11th May 2024
Solo Exhibitions
2023 TAVISTOCK AND PORTMAN, London - Invited Artist
2023 FLORAL CAFE, Worthing - Artist of the month
Select Group Exhibitions
2023 ARTCAN, Then & Now Exhibition
2023 HOVE MUSEUM OF CREATIVITY, Brighton - Outside In, Humanity Exhibition
2023 PROJECT ABILITY, Glasgow - Outside In, Humanity Exhibition
2023 ROFFEY PARK INSTITUTE, Horsham - Horsham Artists Exhibition
2023 STUDIO BY SEA, Brighton - Smack Tacos Pop Up
2023 FIRSTSITE, Essex - Background Bob Charity Exhibition
2023 WEST END GALLERY, Worthing
2023 ST AUGUSTINE'S CENTRE, Brighton - Group Exhibition
2023 SOTHEBY'S, London - Outside In, Humanity Exhibition
2022 ROFFEY PARK INSTITUTE, Horsham - Horsham Artists Exhibition
2022 RYEBANK GALLERY, Rye - Open Call Exhibition
2022 CONCLAVE BRIGHTON, Brighton & Hove - Suite 16
Art Fairs
2023 HORSHAM ARTISTS CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR - Parkside, Horsham
2023 SURREY CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR - Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher
2022 HORSHAM ARTISTS CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR - Parkside, Horsham
Front cover of Art Etcetera Magazine - Issue 6: Women in Art
Publications
2023 ARTISTS RESPONDING TO... - Issue 6
2023 SUPERPRESENT MAGAZINE - Spring 2023. Please click here to download the magazine.
2022 ZANNA MAGAZINE - Issue Thirteen
2022 ART ETCETERA MAGAZINE - Front cover - Sixth Edition, Women In Art
Competitions & Awards
2022 PIER ROAD COFFEE & ART, Littlehampton - January Blues - Open Art Public Vote Winner
2021 NO NAME COLLECTIVE GALLERY - Semi-finalist for the November Challenge
2021 THE DANDY ARTHOUSE - March Madness Winner
Memberships
HORSHAM ARTISTS - Please click here to view her profile.
ARTCAN
Francesca's Art Journey
She was left completely bed bound for 5 years and had to rely on others for everything. After various treatments failed she turned to alternative therapies. One alternative medical practitioner advised her to return to one of her earliest passions, art. What started as an uphill battle due to such severe allergies that required Francesca to paint wearing both a mask and gloves, turned into a beautiful escape into a world that was completely her own. Her first piece "Philautia", from the Greek meaning self-love, started off this adventure. The idea that physically creating something beautiful would help her appreciate being trapped in a body that didn't work properly. It was this piece that cemented the revelation that Francesca wanted to practice art professionally. Each piece is a mirror of her journey, from "Serpentina", inspired from the ideas about progression and change, to "Aeonia", inspired by the ageless themes of infinite time and total freedom.