Artful August: Annalisa Ferraris

With an eye for interesting palettes created in forms and structures, Annalisa Ferraris has a fascination with marrying brutalist architecture and contemporary minimalism. Step into her light-filled studio of textured walls and freshly painted artworks.

Where did your artistic journey start and where did your passion for art come from? 

It started from a very young age, I always took a liking to painting, drawing, anything creative really. After completing high school, I went on to study a BFA Honours at the National Art School which allowed me to develop my skills and meet like-minded people.

Did you always imagine yourself to be an artist? 

Not really, I knew I’d end up in something creative - but thought it would be design or something in fashion - it wasn’t until I’d had a big solo show in Sydney that I realised maybe I was an artist and I quite enjoyed it.

There is a common theme of structure and form in your artworks, do you have a connection with architecture and building? 

I grew up in Castlecrag - which was founded by architect Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Griffin. The suburb is filled with incredibly designed houses and buildings. From a very young age I remember walking through the suburb with my Nonna and loving all the flat roofed structures and hard lines (Burley Griffin is known for his flat roof design). I have also maintained an interest and later helped with my father’s various developments and renovations. Drawings plans, perspectives and helping with the design of his projects allowed me to develop skills and explore an ongoing love of architecture, and building.

With such bold and beautifully put together palettes, do you have a colour formula or colour approach as you come up with a concept? 

No, not at all - I just go with whatever colour I’m feeling into or think will work with the composition.

We have read that you are experimenting with a furniture capsule, that’s exciting! What inspired this extension of your artistic portfolio? 

I’ve always loved design and had been itching to extend beyond painting I’m always thinking about what I can do next, or where I can take things. It started with my Paravent’s (folding screens) which were inspired by Architect Le Courbusier’s. They were received well, and I was happy with the consistency they had with my paintings. It made sense progression wise and felt like the right development. From there, I designed three pieces - two of which will be launched at this year’s Sydney Design Fair in September, I’m super excited about this.

What does original artistry mean to you? Who you are.