Gabriella Furno on Sculpture, Dance and the Body as Architecture

At the age of five, sculptor Gabriella Furno embarked on her journey in dance, followed by sculpture at eight, inspired by her grandmother, who is also a sculptor. She creates large-scale pieces that treat the body as a form of architecture, considering size to be crucial. Her artistic process involves sketches and drawings, as she engages deeply with models and materials to harness unseen energy. The colors in her sculptures represent this energy, reflecting the balance of yin and yang. She juxtaposes rigid metal with pliable clay and utilizes plaster for molds. Some pieces are cast in bronze and aluminum, while others are pending expensive resin casting as she seeks collaborators. Dividing her time between Palermo and Berlin, her studio Schattenlos promotes artistic dialogue. Her return to Sicily has intensified her focus on Mediterranean migrants. Photography by Gabriele Lentini.