Quickie With An Artist: Alia Romagnoli
The Italian Indian Photographer Alia Romagnoli celebrates queerness, femininity, and spirituality in her no-holds-barred work. Her guiding light is to place colour upon colour, startling yellows and luminous oranges creating pure joy in her aesthetics. As a championed LGBTQ+ artist on the rise, her work has been profiled in VICE, British Vogue, Gal-dem and of course, Polyester. We got her to answer our quick-fire questions:
What has been the highlight of your artist career so far?
Definitely the project I worked on most recently. I took a really long break from Instagram and focused on a documentary-based project in my hometown in India over six months last year which has inspired my practice considerably and also changed my approach to photography in general. It is inspired by South Indian studio portraiture and one I hold very close to my heart! I hope to share it with everyone really soon.
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Who, or what, broke your heart?
Saying goodbye to my family a couple of weeks ago because I know I won’t be able to see them for a while. It was also the last time I cried because I moved back to the UK from India.
What’s your current fantasy/daydream?
Living in a little cottage by the seaside, having a little art studio and vegetable garden and cooking for my friends and family.
What memory still makes you cringe you now?
My Glee obsession in 2011.
What is your favourite part of your body?
A weird one but my shoulders, I think? I started to swim a lot over the pandemic, and they make me feel really strong.
What is the best bit of gossip you have at the moment?
I would get into trouble if I told you.
What is your favourite condiment?
Chilli oil or sriracha mayo
Describe being an artist in three words
Colourful, hectic, exciting
Who do you need to tell them you love them?
My sibling! I saw them for the first time at Christmas after two years apart because of the pandemic and it made me realise how grateful I am for them and that I need to tell them I love them more.
Ali’s work can be found at https://www.aliaromagnoli.com/
Photography: Alia Romangnoli | Designs and styling House of Bilimoria | Makeup and hair BeautyByFey, Fey Carla Adediji | Models Harshi Gandhi, Aryaki Kothari, Lakhi Soni | Series illustrated by Samhita
