The Radiant Menace; Rafaela de Ascanio
Her work celebrates the empowerment of the female body through a distinctly female perspective, diverging from traditional portrayals that objectify women through the male gaze.
We're pleased to introduce Rafaela de Ascanio, a multi-talented artist based in London. Her transition from painting to ceramics has been a deliberate yet serendipitous journey worth exploring. Her work celebrates the empowerment of the female body through a distinctly female perspective, diverging from traditional portrayals that objectify women through the male gaze. In her art, Rafaela de Ascanio skillfully weaves references to historical art figures from various eras, a testament to her extensive education. With a BA in Art History, an MA in Curating the Art Museum, Ascanio's pieces vividly reflect her journey of artistic education and development. Through intricate details, she captures the essence of the female experience, paying homage to significant female figures of the past.
De Ascanio's paintings and sculptures interact, weaving layers of iconography and exchanging symbols to dive into the intricacies of the female experience through distinct processes. With a tropical color palette reminiscent of her upbringing in the volcanic Canary Islands, her paintings evoke vibrant landscapes.
"Even though the nude/naked female body has been well represented in Rafaela's work, it is refreshing to see how it is not done through the male gaze and objectification."
Meanwhile, her hand-built clay sculptures take on anatomical forms, adorned with flowing circular narratives in their glazed surfaces, ultimately transformed into enduring stone-like bodies through firing. Drawing from her rich background, de Ascanio's artworks weave together art historical tropes, Renaissance symbolism and mythological landscapes.
Above, one of our favorite pieces by Rafaela de Ascanio, Twigs, 2023, featuring terracotta sculpture. In this artwork, de Ascanio juxtaposes modern women against the backdrop of an ancient clay pot, highlighting the timeless essence of female empowerment. The depiction of pole dancers conveys an erotic and empowering message, skillfully blending art history with contemporary themes to celebrate the modern woman.
Through her paintings, she shares narratives of contemporary experiences while reinterpreting ancient stories through a feminist lens. Often portraying female protagonists as warriors, witches, and goddesses, her art imbues the female narrative with a profound sense of strength and rebirth. Rafaela de Ascanio's artistic vision is influenced by a diverse array of sources, including Niki de Saint Phalle, Renaissance Tarot Cards (reminiscent of Niki de Saint Phalle), symbols from sci-fi film and literature, pagan practices, and altarpieces. Her work aims to challenge patriarchal narratives entrenched in art history while revitalizing the portrayal of female protagonists as leaders, emphasizing themes of sexual empowerment and psychological resilience. Artists like Rafaela de Ascanio play a crucial role in shaping the contemporary female narrative.
For more on Rafaela, follow her on Instagram
With peace & love
xx