Abstract nominee

In this project I use various chemical compounds mixed with liquid colours to create abstract art pieces. Starting with experimentation to see what reaction each compound generates, I then add a second compound and then a third and so on.

The result is a collection of surreal ‘reactions’ portraits. Some may remind us of famous paintings such as Munch’s or Klimt’s and others resemble surreal colourful cloud formations.

Ultimately these images are a metaphor of our lives: it is healthy to experiment and sometimes open the door to the unknown. Although some results will not bring us anywhere, others may help us discover and create new impressions we didn’t imagine were possible.

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.