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For this issue, we sit down with photographer and artist Fiorenza Rossiello, known as Florence, to discuss her creative journey from Italy to New York, her evolving art practice, and the deep connection between identity and place that runs through her work. Fiorenza’s ongoing project, Roots, has been making waves in the New York art scene, combining photography with unconventional mediums to explore nostalgia and memory in a visually compelling way.
Let’s start from the beginning. What initially drew you to photography?
Fiorenza Rossiello: I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of freezing a moment in time, capturing something that might otherwise go unnoticed. Growing up I realized that photography was my way of exploring and understanding the world around me. It allowed me to not just document reality but to interpret it through my own lens, literally and metaphorically.
You started your career in Italy, but your artistic journey has taken you across the Atlantic to New York. What was the catalyst for that move?
Milan was where my career really started to take shape. After graduating from the European Institute of Design, I worked with some incredible clients like Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Ralph Lauren. But even though I was building my career there, I wanted to challenge myself—to see how my art could evolve in a completely different environment. New York was always the dream, especially for someone in the arts. It’s such a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and inspiration. New York has been calling me my whole life.
So I decided to take the leap. I left my job at Dolce & Gabbana, packed up my life (and my dog), and moved to New York to pursue my dream.
Speaking of new mediums, your work has taken on a unique multidimensional quality. You’re blending photography with materials like textiles, mirrors, and glass. Can you tell us more about that?
I’ve always been interested in the tactile side of art—the way a photograph can become more than just an image on paper. I started experimenting with different materials because I wanted to break away from traditional boundaries. For me, photography is not just about the image; it’s about the experience. Printing on textiles, for example, adds another layer to the work. There’s a softness, a texture that brings the photograph to life in a new way. It makes the viewer want to reach out and touch the art, to engage with it on a more intimate level.
Mirrors, on the other hand, play with the concept of reflection— both literally and metaphorically. It’s about self-reflection, about looking at oneself through different
eyes, and how our memories are often altered when we revisit them. I’m very interested in how art can create that dialogue between past and present, between memory and identity. One of my latest projects, Forgive your Reflection, is actually printed on mirrors.
Your ongoing project, “Roots”, also seems to embody that idea perfectly. What inspired this series?
Roots is a deeply personal project for me. It’s an exploration of my connection to Italy, the place that has shaped me in many ways. After spending more than a year in New York, I started to see my Italian roots in a new light. The distance gave me a fresh perspective, and I wanted to capture that feeling of nostalgia, of returning to a place that feels both familiar and distant at the same time.
The project is shot entirely on film because I wanted that sense of timelessness. The grain, the imperfections of analog photography—it mirrors the way memory works. The cities in my photographs, with their centuries-old architecture and landscapes, have a weight to them, a permanence. I wanted to juxtapose that permanence with my own fleeting moments of reflection. In a way, it’s my way of revisiting my past, but through the lens of who I am now.
How has “Roots” been received in New York?
I’ve been really humbled by the reception. The project has been shown at several galleries in New York and the feedback has been incredible. I think the themes of nostalgia and identity resonate with a lot of people, especially in a city like New York where so many are away from their homelands. The images invite viewers to reflect on their own experiences of home and memory, and that’s been very rewarding to see.
You mentioned earlier that New York has deeply influenced your work. In what ways has the city shaped your artistic evolution?
New York is this constant pulse of energy and movement. There’s always something happening, always something new to inspire you. Living in New York has really pushed me to experiment, to push the boundaries of what photography can be. The diversity of this city—its cultures, its people—has definitely broadened my perspective. It’s made me more open to blending different elements, both in my life and in my art. At the same time, it’s also made me more conscious of my Italian roots, and how that part of my identity is always present, even when I’m an ocean away.
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects you can share?
I’m working on a new series that explores the idea of displacement—what it means to be from somewhere, yet feel like you don’t entirely belong anymore. It’s a continuation of the themes I explored in *Roots*, but this time I’m focusing more on the concept of the “in-between” space, where home is no longer a fixed idea but something that shifts and evolves. I’m also planning to incorporate more video work into my practice, so that’s exciting.
Last question—what advice would you give to emerging artists who are navigating their own creative journeys?
I would say, don’t be afraid to take risks. For me, moving to New York and leaving behind a stable career in Italy was a huge risk, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. Also, stay true to your voice. Your personal story, your perspective—those are the things that make your art unique. Don’t be afraid to explore who you are, even if it takes you out of your comfort zone.
You can follow Florence’s journey and see more of her work on her website and Instagram.
WEBSITE @florossiello
