Artist Highlight: Gabriella Imperatori-Penn
Gabriella Imperatori-Penn's unique style of photography reflects her bold and feminine nature, earning her a well-deserved place in distinguished magazines and allowing her to work with high-profile advertising clients.
Gabriella Imperatori-Penn
Her Swiss-Italian background informs her work's timeless and peaceful quality, and her sense of space, time, and color makes her work sought by interior designers.
✤ Q & A ✤
Where do you find inspiration?
I find most of my inspiration in nature. Just think about the architecture of a flower. It is incredible!
How did you get started with photography?
It was during summer camp when I was 15 that I got involved with photography. I fell in love with the art form and requested a camera for Christmas. The rest is history! :)
Who are your favorite photographers?
Irving Penn, of course! We spent hours talking about art and photography. He frequently asked me to critique his work, which, at first, I found intimidating. Then, I came to appreciate being trusted and learned to freely communicate my feelings about his work. I truly adored him!
Then, there is Sarah Moon, who I discovered shortly after receiving my first camera. I plastered my walls with all of her ads for Chacharel. It was magical and still is! Coincidentally, my favorite agent, Barbara von Schreiber, who represented me commercially from 1995-2005, also represented Sarah Moon, and we met a few times. It felt meant to be.
I am also very intrigued with Richard Learoyd. I love the inventive and bare-bone simplicity of his work!
What are you working on right now?
I have just started a new body of work. I print on transparent paper, like vellum or Japanese Gampi, and then gold- or silver-leaf on top of the print. Sometimes, there are additional applications of gold. I recently began experimenting with hand-built pottery and am figuring out how to combine the two mediums.
What makes a house a home?
I have considered this a lot lately because I am considering retiring in Italy. For me, it is about having the people you love near and surrounding yourself with treasured belongings. It is these two conditions that make a house a home.
Favorite scent for yourself or for the home?
"Anqueliques sous la Pluie" has been my fragrance for 20 years. I usually go for Jasmine or Neroli scent and am a big fan of Esteban.
For fragrance, there is no other place than Frederic Malle.
Favorite place to travel?
I spend a lot of time in St Barths to recharge my batteries, and I love Europe - mainly Italy and Switzerland, where I was born.
