fiorella podesta | about
"I believe creating is one of the most deeply human, and perhaps divine, things we do. Whether through painting, music, writing, movement, or any form of creative expression, we transform invisible thoughts, emotions, and experiences into something we can see, share, and understand.
I've spent my life searching for a bridge between my inner world and the world around me. Painting became the bridge I didn't know I was searching for. By sharing it, I hope others don't simply see my work, but discover new ways of seeing their own world."
the begginings
Since I was a child, I experienced the world through images. I was fascinated by the idea that drawings could become real and dreamed of finding a magical pencil capable of bringing everything I imagined to life. Long before I understood why, creating became the way I explored reality, processed emotions, and gave shape to ideas that words could never fully express. That childhood curiosity became the foundation of my artistic journey.
BUILDING THE BRIDGE
Creating has always been more than making art. It has been my way of understanding myself and connecting with the world around me. Every painting begins with intuition, but it is only after the work is finished that I truly begin to understand what it has to say. Stepping back allows me to see my own thoughts, emotions, and questions from a new perspective. When someone else connects with that same piece and finds their own meaning within it, the bridge is complete. It reminds me that beneath our different stories, cultures, and beliefs, there is something deeply human that connects us all.
A LIFE THROUGH ART
I was born in Santiago, Chile, where drawing became my first language at the age of seven. As a teenager I discovered oil painting, and soon after earned a scholarship to study Fine Arts at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. During those early years I participated in solo and group exhibitions, received the Chilean FONDART Regional Grant, and developed a body of work deeply connected to nature, imagination, and the landscapes of Chile, including the years I spent living in Valle de Elqui.
In 2003, what was meant to be a stop on my way to continue studying art in Florence unexpectedly became the beginning of a new chapter. I arrived in Miami with my two children and decided to build a new life in the United States. The city's vibrant cultural diversity opened new creative possibilities and expanded my practice beyond the studio.
Over the following years I exhibited internationally, co-founded an art gallery in Wynwood, collaborated on public art projects, and participated in renowned festivals and cultural events, including Art Basel Miami. Creating large-scale murals across the United States, Chile, and Spain allowed me to discover how art can transform not only walls, but also the way people experience the spaces they share.
Every place, every culture, and every experience has reinforced the same belief that has guided me since childhood: every new possibility begins in the imagination.
PRESENT DAY
Today I live and work in Palm Beach County, Florida, creating original paintings, murals, and public art. My work is part of private collections and has been exhibited internationally across the United States, Canada, Spain, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
Whether working on canvas or on a wall, I continue exploring the relationship between imagination and reality creating spaces that invite curiosity, connection, and the possibility of seeing the world differently.
"Whether on canvas or on a wall, every piece begins with the same intention: to imagine new possibilities and invite others to experience the world with curiosity, wonder, and deeper connection."