Angelica Rowe

Australian artist Angelica Rowe came to Italy, specifically the Palmerino for a change of pace. After working in the fast past ad agency world, she was burnt out. Angelica had intended to come to Florence back in 2020 for a three month Design Master Workshop. However, Covid-19 put her plans on hold. Five years later her partner encouraged her to fulfill her Italian dreams.  

Rowe studied Design and Commercial Art at Griffith College of Art and at CATC in Brisbane, Australia. After graduation she immediately started working in the commercial creative design world. Angelica stopped seeing herself as an artist and as a part of the corporate world. Campaign after campaign, photoshoot after photoshoot and rollout after rollout got old fast.  

What began as a routine freelance client visit to LA for a Michelin Star restaurant rebrand, Angelica decided to quit her job and focus on rediscovering her artistic vision. She kicked off her journey in Milan, where Angelica completed a printing residency. When Rowe arrived at The Palmerino her inspiration multiplied.  

“I have too many ideas, that's my problem here” Rowe came with the intentions of working with silk and old film slides she had taken years ago. Angelica was forced to change directions more than once during her project, which eventually led her to new ideas. When silk was too expensive, Angelica pivoted to use different fabric. When her slides didn't print on the fabric the way she had hoped, she used oil sticks, fabric wash, water and pencils to build upon the designs.  

Rowe’s work incorporated phrases such as “pause”, “small thoughts”, and “and everything in-between”. These phrases were born from Angelica's burn out - big thoughts that start small; a career and life pause and everything else that happens in between - posted on a new account, Until Then prior to her departure from Australia earlier this summer. Being here, Angelica “wanted to be selfish about it”, allowing herself to work on whatever inspired her in the moment." For me personally it's been a retreat”. She found solace being surrounded by other artists who were “kindred spirits” all going through similar processes to find themselves and their art.  

To Rowe’s surprise, her art has taken her in a different direction than she had originally planned. Inspired by fashion and forced to pivot her intentions several times, during the process Angelica also began designing vintage hotel inspired graphic tees and has been able to test and print them while in Florence. Angelica feels most inspired by fashion and how it effects the female community - its' progression throughout history and within current society. We said farewell to Angelica as she plans on letting her newfound inspiration take her places unknown. 

You can follow Angelica Rowe's artistic journey on her Instagram @_Until_then.

By: Grace Lucas