About
I am an Italian-born, London-based artist specialising in temporary public art, creating spectacular installations for street events, celebrations, festivals, light trails, parks and carnivals. A key part of my practice is participation, and my work is often created in collaboration with and for the the communities where the pieces are displayed.
I create large, eye-catching designs inspired by forms from nature, the human body, or familiar everyday objects, reimagined on a giant scale with unexpected materials. With over twenty years of experience, I’ve developed an instantly recognisable theatrical style that is bold, atmospheric, and often fantastical, designed to captivate and delight audiences.
My installations have been exhibited across the UK and internationally, at venues including the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew and Edinburgh, Southbank Centre, historic stately homes, and inner-city street parades like the Boishaki Mela and The Lord Mayor’s Festival
"We have had the privilege of programming Cristina’s beautiful artworks across the UK since 2015. Her work is always incredibly well received by clients and visitors alike. It is equally at home in botanic gardens as it is in stately home gardens. Cristina is never short of great ideas and is always open to the collaboration of new designs. We look forwards to working with Cristina this winter and in the years ahead”
Cristina is the consummate professional, her designs and the execution of her work is always outstanding and beautiful. She is great at collaboration or working solo, and she is excellent at leading a team of artists as her designs and methods are very clear from the outset. Her choice, use and manipulation of materials go a long way in perfectly realising the final work.
Working with Cristina Ottonello has been an extraordinary experience. Her ability to translate complex scientific concepts into visually captivating and emotionally engaging forms is truly remarkable. Through Il Giardino del Cervello, she has transformed neuroscience into an immersive artistic experience, inviting the public to literally step inside the human brain. As a researcher in cellular biology, I am deeply familiar with the complexity and beauty of brain cells, but seeing them reimagined through Cristina’s artistic vision was really inspiring. Cristina’s collaboration ensured that every detail stayed faithful to scientific truth, while her artistic vision brought these cellular forms to life with color, scale, and wonder. Il Giardino del Cervello is a perfect example of how art and science can come together. I am proud to have shared this journey with her.
"We have had the privilege of programming Cristina’s beautiful artworks across the UK since 2015. Her work is always incredibly well received by clients and visitors alike. It is equally at home in botanic gardens as it is in stately home gardens. Cristina is never short of great ideas and is always open to the collaboration of new designs. We look forwards to working with Cristina this winter and in the years ahead”
Cristina is the consummate professional, her designs and the execution of her work is always outstanding and beautiful. She is great at collaboration or working solo, and she is excellent at leading a team of artists as her designs and methods are very clear from the outset. Her choice, use and manipulation of materials go a long way in perfectly realising the final work.
Working with Cristina Ottonello has been an extraordinary experience. Her ability to translate complex scientific concepts into visually captivating and emotionally engaging forms is truly remarkable. Through Il Giardino del Cervello, she has transformed neuroscience into an immersive artistic experience, inviting the public to literally step inside the human brain. As a researcher in cellular biology, I am deeply familiar with the complexity and beauty of brain cells, but seeing them reimagined through Cristina’s artistic vision was really inspiring. Cristina’s collaboration ensured that every detail stayed faithful to scientific truth, while her artistic vision brought these cellular forms to life with color, scale, and wonder. Il Giardino del Cervello is a perfect example of how art and science can come together. I am proud to have shared this journey with her.
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