Artist
Behind the name Illusorya (also known as LadyFanhir), you will find Stefania Russo. Self-taught, I define myself as an indie traditional artist. Born in 1984, settled in the countryside of North-West Italy, I graduated as a fashion designer spending most of my life in the field of antique furniture restoration.
As a self-defense, from the first signs of a future and consolidated mental and physical collapse, I abandoned previous experiences focusing on Art. Drawing inspiration from my own and other people's existences, I transpose fragments of human life, fragility and resilience through the most elegant and dreamlike form of Dark Grotesque.
The name Illusorya , was born from the concept of creating seductive works apparently simple at first sight but filled with fine symbolic details giving space to a deceptive vision , such as the human mind and its masks.
“Motivation” is the only academic teacher, leading me to portray against the canonical artistic rule of “beautiful” encouraging to welcome the face of humanity; I mainly represent the female gender, as well as portraits of queer and androgynous people.
My works are mostly made "alla prima" and on formats that do not exceed 30x40cm, preferring watercolours, tools with an anarchic mood like these emotional visions.
I currently work as an independent artist, painting personal projects or on commission . My works have been exhibited in group shows in galleries overseas, and published in several international publications and projects. I also regularly participate in fairs and markets.
In 2016, together with the Swedish artist Sandra Hultsved, I founded Memento Tea Gallery dedicated to the genre Dark & Grotesque, where a large number of national and international painters and sculptors participated in the project. Memento Tea Gallery is currently on hiatus for logistical reasons.
I recently opened my atelier to the public , giving people the opportunity to visit and purchase my creations in person.