Giulia Gentili is an Italian British artist and art technician based in Edinburgh. Deeply informed by sculptural practices, she examines the ever changing relationship between people, nature, time and material.

“We have a latent belief in nature’s spontaneity which is perhaps what allows us to differentiate it from artificial modes of production. In my practice, I question this through sculptural and material processes. By mixing the naturally occurring with the synthetic, I aim to examine the gestures that define ‘nature’ and its liminalities within the landscape of the Anthropocene.

As an artist and technician, process, particularly casting, is central to my art practice, not only as a method but also as a conceptual framework. In industry, casting is a reliable and quick process for mass production and yet, in art, it can be playful, unpredictable and often, difficult to control. I see these characteristics within the making of the mould as fundamental to the shaping of each work. It is a means to allow the material to misbehave within the constraints of a mould. Metal residues, imperfections, and other traces of the process are often left exposed, embracing the spontaneous nature of working with these materials. This reciprocal relationship—between form and impression, origin and outcome—sits at the heart of my methodology.”

What does Scottishness mean to you?

Since 2012 Scotland has been my home. To me, Scottishness is a very big hug, full of big generosity and warmth, big land, and a very big sea.

What value does craft have in daily life?

Craft is a practice that deepens our understanding of material. It allows us to unlock its potential whilst connecting to its past and its future. It is the link between industry and art, form and function. It surrounds our everyday and imbues our lives with history, beauty and future possibilities.