About Gianfranco Merati Studio

ARTIST STATEMENT

I approach all my projects in a bespoke way; starting with researching and exploring the properties of the material selected so I can understand how to work it. I then begin experimenting with light. I explore how best to use it to  contour the subject matter for clear and descriptive images. I have built-up repetition and contrast within series of photographs on each subject.

Complex problems are thrilling. I embrace the technically difficult as it challenges me to produce art that surpasses those challenges. Pushing boundaries, subverting expectations, endlessly and relentlessly searching for beauty and the unseen.

The geometry of nature is a huge inspiration to me. I often work with very close crops of the microscopic structures I photograph. This transforms their intrinsic patterns and textures into the abstract, allowing space for the viewer to engage their imagination. I have made explicit the implicit intricacies of chemistry and physics, exposing the detail within common compounds such as water, glass, sugar, spices, flowers, and light. My explorations have revealed flowers within droplets of magnetised fluid, colourful ice shelves within sugar crystals, and more.  

I am driven by the opportunity to make images that can be shared. I want to give people the opportunity to see the beauty in elemental structures of nature they would not otherwise see without my photographic lens. 

BIOGRAPHY

Gianfranco Merati (b. Asmara, Eritrea, Africa) is an Italian photographer based in London.

Gianfranco’s motivation as a photographer is that “beauty is everywhere”. He seeks to reveal it. 

For the last decade he has been developing his photographic practice, through building skills and reflecting on projects.

Gianfranco’s focus is on abstract and conceptual photography, where most of his recent work has developed. Exploring the complex geometry found within nature, he has created many photographic series including projects revealing tessellating patterns within insects’ wings; magnetic fluid ‘pulled’ into rippling miniature landscapes; surreal shapes given to melted sugar; striking electricity lightning that dissipates through the air; and more.

Projects are often the result of research into the properties of certain materials or phenomena and, in the most complex cases, may last for several weeks or months. At times, however, ideas spark from very simple things, like the observation of leaves that have fallen from a tree and that decay, but yet preserve a striking beauty in their inner structure.  

Using both high-tech methods and innovative use of basic means, each final image is exacting and verging on the unreal. This, despite the fact that Gianfranco does not manipulate his images digitally to create any illusions in his work.

AWARDS:

- International Photography Awards, 2023, Silver Medal -- Los Angeles
- Minimalist Photography Awards, 2023, Silver Medal
- reFocus Awards, 2023, Silver Medal -- New York
- PX3, 2023, one Silver and two Bronze Medals -- Paris 
- London Photography Awards, 2023, Photographer Of The Year Winner, 3 Platinum Medals and 14 Gold Medals -- London
- FAPA, 2022, Four Times Nominee -- London
- London International Creative Competition 2022, Two projects in the top-15 finalists -- London        
- TIFA, 2022, One Gold and One Bronze Medal -- Tokyo
- New York Photography Award, 2022, One Gold Medal and 11 Silver Medals -- New York
- MIFA, 2022, Gold Medal, Category Winner -- Moscow
- MIFA, 2022, Silver Medals x2, Category Winner -- Moscow
- MIFA, 2022, Bronze Medal, Category Winner -- Moscow
- TIFA, 2021, Second Place Overall Category Winner -- Tokyo
- TIFA, 2021, Gold Medal, Category Winner -- Tokyo
- TIFA, 2021, Silver Medal, Category Winner -- Tokyo
- BIFA, 2021, Silver Medal, Category Winner -- Budapest
- BIFA, 2021, Bronze Medal, Category Winner -- Budapest
- PX3, 2021, Bronze Medal, Category Winner -- Paris