inside artist andrew iacobucci's rome studio and his language-inspired embroidered canvases

Step into Andrew Iacobucci’s studio

Housed in a converted garage of a former auto repair shop, Italian artist Andrew Iacobucci opens the doors of his Rome studio, guiding readers into his creative space and artistic process. A descending ramp leads to an outdoor painting area, while the interior features a minimalistic kitchen block, a collected dove-colored sofa, and nearly invisible bookshelves. The intentional division of spaces with tubular structures supporting curtains creates a distinction between living and working areas, with high walls and neon lighting in the latter providing a focused environment. The artist places a strong emphasis on order and cleanliness within the studio to facilitate a conducive thinking process. Fabrics and thread spools are integral to his embroidered compositions, reflecting consideration for form and color. ‘Working primarily on the floor without the constraints of physical supports or easels, I can arrange my works freely on the ground and engage with them physically,’ Iacobucci explained. ‘This tactile experience creates a closer connection to the artwork, emphasizing its conceptual yet still grounded nature.’

all images by Andrew Iacobucci

Language-inspired Canvases

Andrew Iacobucci (see more here) describes his interest in language as a vast resource, comparing it to Pangea or an expansive Google, from which he draws abstract forms and discovers novel configurations. His recent collection, displayed in Hong Kong, features works embroidered with industrial machines, incorporating designs derived from creations of yet non-literate children. The vectorization of these drawings and their reproduction on vibrant canvases reflects a deliberate intent to explore mark-making before assigning specific meaning.‘My fascination lies in the exploration of language—its boundaries and possibilities. Rooted in my background as an architect, I’ve been trained to understand the significance of lines, the act of defining spaces, and the opening of surfaces,’ he described. ‘This inclination is reflected across various series and mediums,’ he added. 

exploring the boundaries of language

For Iacobucci, delving into the margins of language is akin to participating in the moment when language first develops, similar to understanding the foundation of a complex architectural site. He draws parallels with the work of a paleontologist studying fossils to comprehend evolutionary laws, connecting the creative process with scientific exploration.

Iacobucci’s studio is a space where abstract forms come to life

Iacobucci explores mark-making on vibrant canvases

detail of ‘and do not, whatever you do, eat the heart’

detail of ‘New Jerusalem from the Prayer Room’

summer homework 2022 90 x 85 cm embroidery on outdoor fabric

portrait of Andrew Iacobucci

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untitled 2023 50 x 60 cm embroidery on reflective fabric

so many impossible things have happened 2021 65 x 90 cm embroidery on fabric

project info:

name: notes on the studio
artist: Andrew Iacobucci

studio location: Rome