Abstract nominee

Since its invention in the 60s by NASA, magnetic fluid -- originally intended for rocket fuel -- has gone to impact applications in a wide range of industries from electronics to construction.

For me this material represents a never ending source of creative ideas. It can be shaped, coloured and lit in so many ways.

In this project I attempted to create flower-like shapes and colours, using various colouring and lighting techniques.

Gianfranco Merati (b. Asmara, Eritrea, Africa) is an Italian photographer based in London.


Gianfranco’s motivation as a photographer is that ‘beauty is everywhere’. He seeks to reveal it.


For the last decade he has been developing his photographic practice, through building skills and reflecting on projects. Influenced by living in Africa and then Italy, as well as time spent in other parts of the world, he photographed his surroundings. While travelling and living in different locations, he captured images that epitomized the place or documented encounters with people living there. During this period, he created several projects in Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan and China.


As his practice grew Gianfranco’s observation turned to investigation and he started developing abstract photography within a studio setting. Exploring the complex geometry found within nature, he has created many photographic series including projects revealing tessellating patterns within insects’ wings; magnetic fluid ‘pulled’ into rippling miniature landscapes; and the delicacy of flowers encased in ice.


Using both high tech methods and innovative use of basic means, each final image is exacting and verging on the unreal. This, despite the fact that Gianfranco does not manipulate his images to create any illusions in his work.