ABOUT

Pellegrino has been known to use glitter and humour in her work whilst exploring themes ranging from motherhood and domesticity to memory, identity and migration. All through the lens of a female who grew up in 1980s suburban Australia, who was raised with a mix of cultures (her mother's and father’s families immigrated to Australia from Scotland and Italy throughout the 1930’s - 1950’s) and who is now a mother to one daughter.

“I am a magpie for art materials. I also use bold colours, pastel hues, humour and unexpected objects - such as domestic items, pompoms and children’s toys replicated out of clay - to explore themes in an accessible way.

There were lessons intrinsically passed on through my family's immigration experiences that are apparent in my work. Storytelling and humour were important. So was mending and making do. Amassing memories in the forms of family photographs, keepsakes and trinkets were all treasured documentation of a new life. Assessing the cultural lay of the land and adapting accordingly were essential. This all trickled down and found its way into my artwork. Such as my use of old photos and pre-loved objects that bear the mark of those who owned them before.” - Rossanne Pellegrino, 2023.