I was born in Italy in 1965. I graduated at the Polytechnic of Milan (M.Arch.) in 1988 with a special interest in re-qualification of dismissed urban areas. I worked for several years as a registered architect designing residential buildings before moving to Australia in 1995. I continued my universities studies in Australia receiving a Master in Design Science ( Sustainable design/ Low energy architecture ) at USYD in 2011.
Between 2014 and 2018 I attended courses in anatomical drawing and oil painting at the Julian Ashton School of Sydney: I was semifinalist in the 2017 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize. After that I started working with sheets of acrylic glass, wood and metal. Using rigid materials allows me to think spatially, building 3D assemblages; I like the challenge of finding an exact fit -meccano style- for their components.
I take care of every step of my production, starting with concept sketches which are then converted into digital drawings (cut files). The cut files are read by a laser machine which I operate personally, cutting and engraving all my designs from sheets of various materials. I polish and file all the single components and then stitch or interlock them into the finished composition.
sustainability
I am very concerned with the sustainability of my work and I address this issue in different ways:
I love to design in small scale. We often think ” big is better”, forgetting that size is a crucial factor in the environmental footprint of our goods. My goal is to inject a lot of thought, care and value in a relatively small object. Small but precious!
Test models are made with reused cardboard
The life cycle of acrylic glass is like that of mineral glass: I only employ the best recycled or recyclable acrylic glass.
My timber pieces are done with plantation plywood.
My laser machine is powered by solar energy.
My production waste is minimal and goes entirely to a recycling facility.
contact
My smaller works are sold through my Etsy shop as they are easy to post and the system calculates automatically import duties on international purchases. But if you live in Australia call me: a direct sale will be even easier and quicker, and if you live in Sydney you can come and see all my works!
l also love taking commissions. A commission allows for a larger and/or better integrated work: it’s often a very satisfying project for both parties and doesn’t cost more than a ready-made piece of the same size. I have realized and delivered several custom made pieces and, in case of large projects, I have prepared detailed drawings with full specifications which can be used to cut and create a model somewhere else in the world, in a very efficient and economical way.
For any enquiry please fill the contact form here below and I will get back to you very soon!
Chiara
