giuseppe palmisano spotlights the everyday surreal in his quirky female figure photography

hoxton gallery presents photographic project ‘iosonopipo’

From 15 to 30 September 2023, Hoxton Gallery in London presents an exhibition dedicated to Giuseppe Palmisano’s photographic project titled Iosonopipo. Launched in 2012, the series serves as a visual exploration of the human body, highlighting the female figure as the highest expression of nature. The show encompasses numerous artworks, each characterized by Palmisano’s unique aesthetic. Semi-nude figures that grapple with concealing or transcending their reality are shown against ordinary, familiar backdrops, culminating in a collection of evocative works that infuse everyday life with mystery and humor.

semi-nude figures grapple with concealing or transcending their reality | all images courtesy of iosonopipo

Giuseppe Palmisano’s artistic vision

Giuseppe Palmisano’s work (find more here) has always revolved around redefining the role and portrayal of women, particularly by stripping the female figure from its inherent eroticism. In his Iosonopipo photography project (find more here), the Italian artist captures various everyday scenes, featuring nude figures in pastel-colored tights, concealing their faces within fluffy beddings or against sofas. These figures, sometimes clothed and at times entirely bare, interact with diverse furniture, submerging in sinks, hiding beneath beds, or immersing themselves in bouquets of flowers. It’s as if they are attempting to escape their reality.

‘By means of staged photography, the human body and everyday space, Giuseppe’s photographs are transformed into an atmosphere of humor and mystery, a theatrical effect of absurdity and joyous color, and even with an implication of eeriness and delusion,’ shares the team at Hoxton Gallery (find more here) that hosts the upcoming exhibition. ‘Palmisano’s work contains signs of transcendence and metaphor amongst everyday realistic plight. People appear to be able to escape, or hide from the pressure of the real world by entering the image of the artist’s imagination.’

nude figures in colored tights conceal their identity by diving into bouquets of flowers

re-introducing the iosonopipo project

After seven years of active participation in the Iosonopipo project, Giuseppe Palmisano opted to sell his artistic identity on eBay in 2019. The acquisition was made by Francesco R., who collaborated with Palmisano in an endeavor to resell it during the pandemic, with the aim of supporting an anti-violence center or a women’s shelter. Despite three years of committed efforts, and no response received, Palmisano decided to reclaim the photographic project and resume his position as its creative director.

Continuing to utilize the photographic medium as a means to connect with new individuals, the Italian photographer crossed paths with Kevin Martin, the founder of Hoxton Gallery in London. Together, they decided to launch an exhibition in London, re-introducing Palmisano’s photography to a global audience.

Giuseppe Palmisano’s work has always revolved around redefining the role and portrayal of women