Born in Padua, based between Padua and Venice, Francesca Zanella studied at the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica of Venice and received a Master in Children’s Illustration at the University of Padua.
Her personal path of development in engravings has led to investigate the relationship of lines between earth and sky. Her great interest lies experimenting with the creation of different marks made using the tools for engraving and other medium. It is not in her nature to seek the perfection of the design but rather to seek perfection in imperfection.
She uses different media, such as painting, printing and installation.
She frequently combines trace monotype, connecting lines and colour transparencies to give life to colour fields that evoke remote images and emotions. Her images are never clear but seem like memories of something experienced.
She has participated in numerous solo and group exibitions in Italy and abroad.
Education
2018 Scuola internazionale di Grafica – Non-toxic printmaking
2017 Scuola Internazionale di Grafica Venice – Monotype
2016 Scuola Internazionale di Grafica Venice – Watercolour – Intaglio
2014 Scuola Internazionale di Grafica Venice – Annual courses Xilography
2013 Bottega del Tintoretto Venice – Book art and intaglio
2004-2006 Internazionale di Grafica Venice – Annual courses of Artist’s book, Printmaking, Contemporary Grafic
2010-2011 Master in “Illustrazione per l’infanzia. Per una pedagogia dell’educazione estetica”. University of Padua
Workshop
2010 Scuola Internazionale di Illustrazione per l’Infanzia Sarmede – Treviso:
Monotype with Linda Wolfsgruber
2003 Children Illustration curated by Roberta Angeletti
2004 Children Illustration curated by Alessandra Cimatoribus
2005 International Workshop “Segno e colore” curated by Andreas Kramer – Lipsia -Germany
Artist Residency
2023 September – The Cabin at Road Books – Cork – Ireland
2018 May – Dar Slimane Marrakech – Morocco
2017 June – Dar Slimane Marrakech – Morocco
2016 October – Joya: arte y ecologìa – Vélez Blanco – Spain
Solo Exhibitions
2024 “Nutrire lo sguardo” – Bazabò cibo – Vigonza – Padua
2024 “Di là dallo sguardo…il pensiero” – Atelier Luse – Venezia
2018 Installation artist’s book – Dar Slimane’s garden Marrakech – Morocco
2017 Permanent stucco relief – Yoga Retreat Dar Slimane Marrakech – Morocco
2016 “Immaginando” – Roggia dei Mulini – Lozzo di Cadore – Belluno
2014 Permanent stucco relief – Studio medico Regazzo – Padua
2010 Permanent Installation – Bazabocibo – Vigonza – Padua
Group Exhibitions Selected
2017 Mostra collettiva Scuola Internazionale di Grafica
2016 50 artisti per KITO Battuta d’arte – Kito Onlus – Padua
2014 “Libri mai mai visti” Russi – Ravenna
2014 Mostra Collettiva di Arte Grafica – Associazione nazionale Incisori – Vigonza – Padua
2014 Mostra collettiva Scuola Internazionale di Grafica
2014 Collettiva degli artisti Bottega del Tintoretto – Venice
2010 Mostra collettiva Scuola di Illustrazione per l’infanzia – Sarmede – Treviso
2006 Mostra collettiva alla Scuola Internazionale di Grafica – Contemporary grafic
2005 Mostra collettiva alla Scuola internazionale di grafica – Etching
2005 Muestra III Internacional de Miniprint Rosario Argentina
2005 “Fiumi di scarpe” 10° Premio Internazionale di Illustrazione per l’Infanzia Scarpetta d’oro – Strà – Venice
2004 Galerie CUT-LAIFART Connewitz Creuz – Lipsia – Germany
2004 Mostra collettiva Scuola Internazionale di Grafica – Book art
2004 “Alfabeti” 5^ Rassegna Internazionale di Libro d’Artista -Biblioteca Casanatense Roma – Book art
2003 International Grafic Palazzo Cecchini Cordovado – Pordenone
Since 2015 she has held workshops for children on her artistic research
Public and Private Collections
Artist residency The Cabin at Road Books – Cork – Ireland
Artist residency Dar Slimane Marrakech – Morocco
Artist residency Joya:arte y ecologìa, Vélez Blanco, Spain
VACA, Russi (Ravenna) – Italy
Scuola Internazionale di Grafica, Venice – Italy
CASANATENSE Library, Rome – Italy
Restaurant Bazabocibo, Vigonza (PD) – Italy
Since 2015 she held workshops for children about her artistic research