Michela
Cavagna

The Italian artist combines traits of oriental culture with references to the artisanal tradition and uses different ways of expression in her work, which ranges from large environmental works, immersive installations, to works on paper, sculptures, assemblages, or photographs.

The dreamlike aspect present in her works is accompanied by the darker themes of the human psyche that she investigates, going into greater depth on themes that range from family dynamics and memories, she addresses the theme of the cycle of life, misunderstanding, the desire to be recognized, or even, although not explicitly stated, the world of female work that she investigates by telling pieces of private life. Deep contents always addressed with lightness.

After graduating in architecture in Milan, she deepened her passion for textiles thanks to her studies on the Bauhaus and the pioneer of fiber art Anni Albers. In Indonesia, where Cavagna moved for four years, her research deepened and took on new meanings thanks to the stimuli and contaminations with the local and international cultural environment with which she came into contact. The experience is still present in her artistic production today, dominated by the influence of Japanese and Javanese manual practices.

In a continuous search for balance between artisanal practice, artistic techniques and experimentation she works with raw materials, glass fusion, ceramics, photography, xylography, mokuhanga, embroidery, fabric printing. She has exhibited in Italy and abroad (in Indonesia at the Italian Cultural Institute and in New York) in public and private institutions. Some of her works have been acquired by public and private institutions.

Cavagna recently concluded (October 2024) an artist residency in China at the Wenling Photography Association with the support of the Yiwei Art Gallery of Wuhan.