Raphaele Anfré, Féminité Camouflée, 2019.

Watercolor ExtraFine on 100% Cotton Arches 300g/m2, 46x61cm. 

Raphaële Anfré is an artist and a fashion designer. After studying at the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, she joined a French fashion house. In 2016 she leaves and chooses to devote herself entirely to her art. She finds a new way of drawing is imposed, taking away the concept of error, and she applies colors directly. Her paintings are inspired by the female figure and are a tribute to the different shapes of the woman's body.

"In my works there is not a single type of Woman. There are different forms of Femininity, and Femininity is a combination of elements: I often break down my drawings, portray the elements that make up Femininity, assemble them and create variables to illustrate the existence of many different Femininities and sexualities. I also paint intimacy, to show desires and fantasies, but also fears and doubts. I use an abstract style and consider it a guide that leads the audience and at the same time gives them the freedom to create their own image, understanding and definition of the artwork. Féminité Camouflée is part of a series inspired by Femininity, which is not always obvious, and is sometimes hidden. I wanted to represent female elements hidden behind flowers, leaves and colors to illustrate the importance of looking beyond."

This artwork is part of the Viva la Vulva by Nuvenia project: a collective exhibition by international artists that aims to break down taboos linked to the female body in conjunction with an online charity auction in favor of the Italian Red Cross. The works will be on display at Six Gallery in Milan from 9 to 11 October.

"We are born free from taboos. We live in a society that forces them upon us, feeding stereotypes. Talking about them helps to break them down and learn to accept each other: because we are all perfect precisely because we are different".