Marcella Colavecchio

Contemporary visual artist Marcella Colavecchio stands out for her figurative paintings and drawings. The Italian-American creative produces large-scale nudes which challenge the litany of conflicting messages and double standards women often face when defining themselves. Often using her own body as a model, the artwork becomes not just an exploration of but a reclamation of the Self.

Marcella Colavecchio’s Early Career and Influences

Marcella studied classical drawing at Lyme Academy of Fine Art under Dean G. Keller. The artist grounds her work on themes of sexuality and identity, often exploring the stigma of societal expectations of the female form and gender norms. Drawing inspiration from her own life experiences and those of the people she depicts, her paintings offer a graphic visual narrative on the relationship between people and their bodies. Blending classical figuration with new, synthetic worlds, Marcella brings together life drawing, highly saturated, neon colour palettes and harsh light. The figures in her nude portraits personify both the boldness and frailty of consciousness, with the painting's harsh glare serving to expose both the subject and the viewer.

Exhibitions and Press

Marcella has exhibited her work nationally with notable exhibitions. Most recently, she showcased her work in Austin and New Orleans at West Chelsea Contemporary and Jonathan Ferrara Gallery. The artist also featured in Almost Real Things Magazine, The Austin Chronicle, The Austin American Statesman, and Split Lip Magazine.