@chloris_agency
Stefania Bonatelli is an Italian-Colombian photographer and artist living in the
Canary Islands. She’s worked in the art world for almost 30 years and embraced the possibilities digital technology could add to her work as far back as 2008. Today her art is showcased on various platforms, including online galleries and social media pages. Working as a mixed-media artist, she blends visual elements in her work as she explores the relationship between humanity and the complexity of what she calls the contemporary era. Her work incorporates animals to make for the most unusual, striking artworks on her Instagram page @chloris_agency.
Where did the idea to incorporate animals into your work come from?
[It] originated from a deep fascination with the intricate and often enigmatic relationship between humanity and the natural world. Animals, with their profound diversity and symbolism, offer a rich tapestry of narratives that resonates with the human experience. They have the power to evoke emotions, stir memories and prompt contemplation.
Do you have a favourite animal picture?
If I were to highlight one that particularly resonates with me, it would be the one that features the great blue heron atop a dishevelled bed, created in 2017 to showcase an Italian company’s luxury fabric collection. The project is titled “When Textile Meets Animals” [and] comprises 11 photographs, each featuring a different bird, with the goal of ensuring each animal embodies the same colours as the collection. This image is especially dear to me, not only because of my passion for birds, but also because it represented a challenge that defied the conventions of interior design, where photographs often depict perfectly organised settings. This image encapsulates the essence of my artistic journey, capturing the convergence of creativity, emotion and the profound connection between humanity and [nature].
How long does creating one of these images take?
The time required varies depending on the complexity of the task or the process involved. On average, the process spans several weeks.
When you first see a picture of an animal, how do you decide what setting you want to put it in?
Selecting a setting for an animal in my work is an intricate fusion of intuition, creativity and symbolism. When I encounter an image of an animal that resonates with me, I embark on a journey of visual storytelling. The choice of setting and its elements are carefully considered to evoke a specific mood or narrative.
Where do you get the pictures of the animals? Do you take them?
The images of the animals I work with come from a variety of sources. For certain projects I capture the photographs myself, particularly when I seek to infuse a personal perspective into the imagery. However, I also collaborate with professional photographers and leverage high-quality stock images to ensure a diverse and comprehensive visual repertoire.