“In my artistic pursuit, I intertwine the realms of reality and dreams, conceiving each canvas as an endless journey of creation.”
A Life Shaped by Movement and Exploration
Alice d’Apolito’s artistic journey is one defined by movement—both physical and creative. Born in a small town in southern Italy, she later relocated to Rimini in the north, a shift that left a deep imprint on her sense of identity and belonging. Now based in Leeds, UK, she continues to explore new places, with travel serving as a major source of inspiration for her work. The artist’s connection to different cultures and landscapes is not just a backdrop but an integral part of her creative process.
Her family has always nurtured creativity, and with three sisters scattered across the globe, a spirit of exploration runs in her blood. Early on, she gravitated toward visual storytelling, studying cinema and photography before delving into animation at the Comic School of Padova. The influence of these disciplines is evident in her work, where narrative and movement play a key role. Though she experimented with various artistic fields, it was in England that she fully embraced her identity as a painter, driven by a determination to express herself and connect with audiences worldwide.
Leeds has become her artistic home, providing a space where she can cultivate her practice. She works from her studio at Hope House in Mabgate, where she surrounds herself with the essential tools of her craft, from brushes and paints to a tatami mat for floor painting. She also immerses herself in the study of the Japanese language, an interest that took her to Tokyo in 2024. Living in Kichijoji for a time profoundly influenced her work, sparking a new chapter in her creative evolution.
Alice d’Apolito: Between Reality and Imagination
At the heart of Alice d’Apolito’s art lies a distinctive blend of autobiographical storytelling and whimsical, dreamlike imagery. Her background in animation is evident in her use of bold lines, simplified figures, and carefully balanced color compositions. Often featuring her alter ego alongside beloved pet companions—such as her childhood rabbit, Fulmine—her paintings become deeply personal reflections on memory, emotion, and self-discovery.
Her artistic language is defined by clean, precise outlines and large, pale faces that contrast with vibrant blocks of color. She is drawn to the interplay between the real and the imagined, treating each canvas as an exploration of personal history and subconscious narratives. By embracing an illustrative approach, she channels her thoughts and experiences into symbolic yet universally relatable compositions. Themes of nostalgia, longing, and connection run through her work, allowing viewers to find fragments of their own stories within her visual world.
A particularly significant painting in her career is あなたと私 (You and Me), an oil painting that marks the beginning of her childhood recollection series. The work stems from her experience of moving away from her birthplace, a transition that left her feeling unmoored, with only scattered memories to hold onto. Through this series, she reconstructs moments of comfort and security, particularly the bond she shared with Fulmine. The piece serves as a testament to the emotional power of art, preserving what might otherwise fade with time.
The Evolution of Medium and Technique
Alice d’Apolito’s artistic practice has undergone a steady transformation, shaped by her experiments with various mediums. Initially, her drawings were filled with intricate lines and shadows, but over time, she refined her style, moving toward a more fluid and deliberate form of expression. She values clarity over realism, allowing her images to communicate with striking directness while retaining a sense of emotional depth.
Before committing to painting, she explored mixed media, incorporating dried leaves and flowers into her drawings. The tactile element of collage added another layer of meaning, bridging the organic and the illustrative. However, it was during the lockdown that she embarked on a new phase of her journey, turning to acrylics before ultimately transitioning to oil paint. This shift was fueled by a long-held desire to work with oils, and the material’s richness and versatility proved to be the perfect fit for her evolving vision.
The choice of medium is more than just a technical decision—it is deeply tied to her creative process. Oil paint allows her to build textures, refine colors, and achieve the depth she seeks in her storytelling. Whether working on wood panels or custom surfaces, she approaches each piece with a balance of precision and spontaneity, ensuring that her artistic voice remains both structured and expressive.
Alice d’Apolito: A Vision for the Future
As Alice d’Apolito continues to develop her body of work, she remains committed to pushing her artistic boundaries. One of her most exciting ongoing projects stems from her time in Tokyo, where she documented her experiences through a series of sketches. These drawings, filled with impressions of the city’s energy and culture, are now being transformed into a larger project with the guidance of her mentor, Alexandra Mazzanti. While details remain under wraps, the project promises to be a significant milestone in her career.
Her influences range from the expressive figures of Egon Schiele to the provocative imagery of Toshio Saeki, as well as the delicate aesthetics of Ukiyo-e masters like Utamaro and Harunobu. She also finds inspiration in Robert Crumb’s raw, unfiltered approach to visual storytelling. These influences, though varied, all share a common thread—an ability to capture the complexities of human experience through distinct and evocative styles.
With each new series, she continues to refine her artistic voice, balancing personal reflection with universal themes. Whether revisiting childhood memories, chronicling her travels, or experimenting with new techniques, Alice d’Apolito remains a storyteller at heart, using her canvases to bridge past and present, reality and imagination.
