Marjani: From Sardinian Masks to Digital Illustration

Gianluca Marras, known as Marjani (Sardinian for 'fox'), was born in Cagliari in 1979. His early work featured tragic and grotesque character designs blending local Sardinian and Eastern masks, later evolving into a nostalgic, melancholic figuration with Japanese aesthetic influences. Despite a humanities background rather than formal art training, he approaches drawing almost literarily. He works primarily digitally, using paper and pencil for initial sketches but finalizing on computer, aiming to keep his line warm and manual. His creative process varies: he starts with a rough idea, quickly develops essential elements, then meticulously works on composition and palette. He admires Studio Ghibli and Wes Anderson, listens to electronic music and Italian rap, and dreams of illustrating Haruki Murakami's 'Norwegian Wood'. His concept of beauty ties to melancholy and impermanence. Currently, he is working on a family narrative project with gallerist and curator Chiara Manca.