The Wild Icons project was created for the exhibition Oasi: New Forms of Life, promoted by the Municipality of Capraia and the Uovo alla Pop gallery. Together with Costanza Rosi, we developed a work that celebrates the island’s symbolic animals and the natural elements that surround them.

I created and painted four wooden votive shrines inspired by traditional religious ones, transforming them into tributes to the beauty of nature rather than sacred figures. The altars were paired with banners designed and sewn by Costanza, depicting four natural elements of the island. Each artwork thus becomes a symbol of devotion and reflection on the connection between humans and the environment.

We selected four representative animals of the island, associating them with four natural elements:

• Wild rabbit – Capraia cornflower

• Whale – Sea

• Mouflon – Stagnone Lake

• Falcon – Zenobito Volcano

During the residency, I painted the shrines using the colors of these natural elements, while Costanza created matching fabric banners. For the exhibition, the works were placed along the ancient Roman road that connects the port to the town center.

The week spent on the island was a truly rejuvenating experience. Capraia welcomed us with its wild beauty, giving us a deep sense of well-being that I truly needed. The breathtaking landscapes, the vibrant vegetation, and the thrilling encounters with wildlife made this journey unforgettable.