Carla Ferilli is a visual artist, Master in the graphic and printmaking techniques.
She participates in exhibitions, competitions and symposia around the globe.
Carla is inspired by the now and by the influence of past experiences on the mind, the body and the soul. Always ready to cross lines and take a new path during her research, she is often scanning, but can also be impulsive, looking for solutions to give her interpretations form.
Artists statement: You will see me, when I see me.
Wounds we bear, scars we show or hide and trauma that form us unconsciously, leave various traces behind.
This fragile border is not possible to express in words, but is present in feeling. An image is the ideal medium for me to translate this feeling to my environment. Working with textures and layers suggest the character and depth of the wound.
I have the urge to visualize thoughts and feelings, to resolve internal questions and find answers.
My research focusses on the affect that life, time, memories and experiences have on one’s mind, body and soul. How we can transform these remaining traces by changing course, by the choices we make and by resetting our mind.
Observations from around me; internal and external, get me thinking and feeling and then resolve in a Visual process.
A certain impact or experience on individuals; visible and invisible, large or small, can affect each individual person in different ways and on different levels. With our mind we create our own reality, the world as we see, feel and live it. Mind and Matter are evidentially one.
The use of printing techniques is the optimal way to connect with my theme; the wood is engraved, the copper is acidified, the stone is etched; as the skin is scared, the soul is burnt, the mind is blurred and the hart is broken.
Transparent colors and layers, thin and fragile; as vulnerable feelings and experiences are waiting to be peeled away. When time passes the wound changes. The different layers transform, they appear and disappear depending on the feeling in one particular period. Where the pain once was, is where the light can shine though.
The scar on the surface tells the story about the feeling and experience behind it.
I tell my story hoping the spectator can connect with his own story.
It’s time to take off the armor. To recognize strengths and weaknesses so that the wounds can heal. To have the courage to ask for help and become strong enough to help others.
What then remains is a beautiful shape of an old memory.
Personal information
Born December 12, 1965 in Deptford, Londen (UK) as British/Italian
Ferilli Carla lives and works in Belgium
Selections & Awards
2020 Selected for printmaking, International Triennial of Graphic Arts in Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2019 Selected for printmaking, International Print Biennale in Yerevan, Armenia
2018 Selected for printmaking, International Graphic Triennial, Novosibirsk, Siberian Russia
2018 Selected for graphics, International art-colony, Vevcani, Macedonia
2017 Selected for printmaking, International Graphic Biennial, Split, Croatia
2017 Selected for printmaking, International Print Biennial, Guanlan, China
2016 Nomination for printmaking, International Biennial of Small Forms, Pleven, Bulgaria
2016 Selected for graphics, International art-colony, Vevcani, Macedonia
2016 1st prize for printmaking, International Platform for Contemporary Art,
Atelier an der Donau, Pöchlarn, Austria
2015 Selected for graphics, International art-colony, Vevcani, Macedonia
2015 Selected for painting, International women artist-colony, North Cyprus
2014 Honorary prize for printmaking, International Platform for Contemporary Art,
Atelier an der Donau, Pöchlarn, Austria
2009 Selected for sculpture and collage, Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
1997 Selected for collage, Kiezen voor Kunst, Essen en Antwerp, Belgium
1997 Selected for silkscreen and collage, Royal Academy of Arts, London, England
1996 Selected for etching, Kiezen voor de Kunst, Essen, Belgium
1995 Selected for silkscreen and etching, Royal Academy of Arts, London, England
1994 Selected for silkscreen and etching, Royal Academy of Arts, London, England
1993 Selected for silkscreen, Royal Academy of Arts, London, England
1992 Selected for silkscreen, Royal Academy of Arts, London, England
1991 1st prize for painting and silkscreen, Kiezen voor Kunst, Essen, Belgium
1990 Selected for silkscreen, Gulden Sporen, Kortrijk, Belgium
1990 Selected for woodcut, Portrait, Knokke, Belgium
1990 Selected for silkscreen, Rotariale 90, Bruges, Belgium
1988 2nd prize for figure drawing, Sima Courier, Antwerp, Belgium
Group exhibitions & Artist in Residence
May 2022 International Exhibition/ artist in residence, Atelier An der Donau, Ybbs an der Donau, Austria
Okt. 2021 5th International Exhibition of Miniprints, AIMPE, Tokushima, Japan
Okt. 2020 10th International Biennial of Small Forms, Art Gallery Iliya Beshkov, Pleven, Bulgaria
June 2020 Second International Triennial of Graphic Arts, Franciscan Museum, Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Okt. 2019 4th International Exhibition of Miniprints, AIMPE, Tokushima, Japan
Sept. 2019 2nd International Print Biennale, Hy-Art Cultural Center, Yerevan, Armenia
Okt. 2018 9th International Biennial of Small Forms, Art Gallery Iliya Beshkov, Pleven, Bulgaria
Sept. 2018 2nd Novosibirsk Graphic Art Triennial, Novosibirsk State art Museum, Siberian Russia
Nov. 2017 8th Splitgraphic Biennial 2017, University Gallery Vasko Lipovac, Split, Croatia
Okt. 2017 International exhibition, New Jorg Gallery, Kalmthout, Belgium
June 2017 Masters Exhibition 2017, Antwerpen, Belgium
May 2017 6th Guanlan International print Biennial, China Printmaking Museum, Shenzhen, China
Okt. 2016 8th International Biennial of Small Forms, Art Gallery Iliya Beshkov, Pleven, Bulgaria
April 2016 2eme ‘Symposium International de Gravure’ Mahdia, Tunisia
Sept. 2015 International Exhibition/ artist in residence, Atelier An der Donau, Pöchlarn, Austria
July 2015 International Exhibition/ artist in residence, Vevcani, Macedonia
Mar. 2015 2nd International Women Artists Art Exposition/ artist in residence, Librery, Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus
Sept. 2014 International Exhibition/ artist in residence, Atelier An der Donau, Pöchlarn, Austria
Dec. 2004 Gallery Oud-Gemeentehuis, Kapellen, Belgium
June 2000 Cultural center, Kapellen, Belgium
May 1997 Cultural center, Antwerp, Belgium
May 1995 Galerie Campo, Antwerp, Belgium
June 1990 Art center, Huis Hellemans, Edegem, Belgium
Solo exhibitions
Sept. 1996 Gallery, Tatteljee, Essen, Belgium
Dec. 1994 Gallery, Sandy Arts, Heide – Kalmthout, Belgium
June 1994 Blackheath Gallery, Londen, England
Dec. 1993 Gallery ’t Pirrewitje, Antwerp-Berchem, Belgium
April 1993 Gallery P – Art, Gent, Belgium
May 1992 Gallery Leonard’s fine arts, Brasschaat, Belgium
Mar. 1991 Gallery Erasmus, Essen, Belgium
May 1990 Gallery Cuylitshof, Kalmthout, Belgium
Coordination & projects
2007 – 2020 Annual exhibitions, Sint-Lucas Academy for Visual Arts, Kapellen, Belgium
2017 Workshop printmaking for teenagers with autism, Kapellen, Belgium
2013 Art integration, Wilgenduin, Kalmthout, Belgium
2011 – 2013 Statue: ‘the modern Jacob’, Kapellen, Belgium
2009 – 2010 Art – integration project, the book: “in de kijkdoos”, Berkenbeek, Wuustwezel, Belgium
2008 – 2009 Sculpture for the project Serafien, Gasthuisberg, Leuven/ Zuiderkroon, Antwerp, Belgium
2008 – 2009 Art – integration project for Zonnewende, Kapellen, Belgium
2007 Expo Selections, Oud-Gemeentehuis, Kapellen, Belgium
2003 Art – Project to the benefit of UNICEF, Schamhoeve, Essen, Belgium
Studies
2017 Master in the Visual Arts: specialized in printmaking, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp. Thesis: Art and Scars, communication through visual language: female artists with a youth trauma
1990 Diploma: Higher Art Education, Graphic arts, Sint – Maria (KdG), Antwerp. Thesis: Kunst, c’est fou!: the boundary between the normal creative spirit and madness
Artistic training
2007 – 2014 – 2015 – 2016 – 2017 – 2018 – 2019 Non-Toxic etching, Studio Blauwhof, Kessel
2015 Lino-etsen, Studio Blauwhof, Kessel
2015 Kitchen-litho, Studio Blauwhof, Kessel
2014 ‘De kunst van het inspireren’ door Pedro De Bruyckere, Stedelijk Academie, Sint-Niklaas
2007 Bronze Sculpture, Tracé, Cultureel Centrum, Ekeren
2006 Encaustic Painting, Sint – Lucas, Academy of Visual Arts, Kapellen
2002 Figure drawing, Sint – Lucas, Academy of Visual Arts, Kapellen
1996 Sculpture, Ethnographic museum, Antwerp
1987 – 1991 Silkscreen, etching and lithography, in “Frans Masereel Center”, Kasterlee
1990 Figure drawing, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp
Experience within education
At Sint-Lucas Academy for Visual Arts, Kapellen
2016 – now Art and educational director
2013 – 2016 Coordinator of art projects
2008 – 2013 Art and educational coordinator
1999 – 2017 Professor: Drawing studio, Figure studio, Project studio and Printmaking studio
1996 – 2000 Professor: art for children at Pigment, Kalmthout:
1993 – 1995 Professor: Printmaking at Open Studio, Ravenhof, Stabroek
At Sint-Lucas Academy for Visual Arts, Antwerp
1999 – 2002 Professor: Drawing studio, Visual Education
Other experiences
2011 – now Masterclass printmaking workshops
2005 Art guide: London, England
2004 Art guide: Copenhagen, Denmark
1999 & 2001 Art guide: Vitra, Basel, Germany
1999 & 2001 Art guide: Classic Arts & Biennial, Venezia, Italy
1992 – 1993 Graphic Designer, Etimedia, Kapellen, Belgium
1990 – 1992 Designer, Crea Design, Aartselaar, Belgium