London

Adriana Napolitano

Lemoine, Florence

Paper artist | Termoli, Italy

A unique visual artisan

Adriana is originally from Italy but based in Berlin
She defines herself as a self-taught hard worker
The first object she made was a Victorian paper wig

With a special focus on paper crafts, Adriana Napolitano's work is a quirky combination of set design, photography and digital retouching. As a freelance designer, she’s experienced in all aspects of developing and creating crafts for stills and films. With a highly individual aesthetic and great attention to detail, her paper sets and props feature real life characters and often Adriana herself. Take some pop, some surrealism and a dose of craftsmanship, put them in a blender, add a pinch of humour, and that describes her style. “I can work with almost anything, but have a preference for paper and recycled materials. And I love to describe myself as a visual artisan,” she says. She’s based in Berlin but will soon be opening a new studio in Italy, her native country.

Interview

Did you always want to work with paper?: Not really. I studied oriental languages and then chose to switch to cinema and video editing. Then, by chance, I started working as a set designer for a stop motion movie and I understood that crafts were my thing. So, I followed my passion.
What most inspires you?: Everyday life. I think creativity is also about looking at something ‘normal’ and giving it back to others in some new, fresh, different way and form.
How do you combine paper and photography?: I think my work is the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation. I use old techniques and materials, such as clay and papier-mâché, combining them with something new, like digital photography. For me it’s the ideal way to express myself.
Why you often make self-portraits?: It’s a way to show how I feel and the images that I have in mind. I love transformations. I think of myself as a vehicle, just like my camera. And I don’t mind looking weird or not cool.

Adriana Napolitano is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2007