VIO @ Rome Art Week

VIO

Abstract Painter

Data and contact details

Raffaela Gargiulo
Stage Name: VIO.
INSTAGRAM: RAFFAELA.VIO

An abstract painter, VIO draws inspiration from the powerful interplay of light and shadow in Caravaggio, the emotional impetus of Francis Bacon, and the violent splashes of color characteristic of Chaim Soutine.

She studied at the creative drawing and painting school "La Nuvola Rossa" under artist Giordana Napolitano, and subsequently at the "La Porta Blu" gallery under maestro Alberto Parres.

In 2021, her artwork "interior wonderland" was featured on the cover of the book "L’esercito che salvò i sorrisi" by Elisabetta D’Agostino and Lorenzo Pelloni.

Since February 2022, her painting "FAMILY" has been on permanent display at the MAAM (Museum of the Other and the Elsewhere of Metropoliz) in Rome.

In 2022, she exhibited at the Impact Hub Roma space, presenting an art project that showcased her vision of nature as an expression of color, life, and movement. That same year, she participated in Rome Art Week (RAW) with an open studio.

In August 2023, journalist Emidio Piccione published a feature article on her art in "PaeseRoma - Il corriere del popolo".

Starting in 2023, La Maison de la Petite Sara Art Gallery in San Marino began representing her works on ARTSY. She also opened her studio for Rome Art Week (RAW) that year. Furthermore, La Maison de la Petite Sara Art Gallery hosted the exhibition "Nuovo Futurismo e VIO", where she exhibited her works alongside Marco Lodola. In December 2023, Alessandro Amedei of the Comites of the Republic of San Marino published an article on RTV San Marino regarding the "Nuovo Futurismo e Vio" exhibition.

Additionally, in 2023, she contributed a piece to the MUCCART initiative by the KOU Gallery in Rome, where the proceeds from the artwork's sale were donated to purchase a cow for an Ethiopian family.

In 2024, she painted a custom piece for the cover of Sophie Rossi's book, "Diario di Margot".

In 2024, she exhibited at the Together Mansion in Rome for "Inspiration Day 2024". In May 2024, she took part in the "Fuckup Nights" event at the Impact Hub Gallery in Rome. She also showcased her work at the "Roma Creative Fest"—the Rome festival celebrating art, culture, and innovation—held at the Ex Cartiera Latina. She renewed her participation in Rome Art Week (RAW) with an open studio and exhibited at the grand opening of the new location of La Maison de la Petite Sara Art Gallery in Sanremo.

That same year, she contributed her artwork to the "Stimolamente" project in Rome, organized by the AL.F.A ODV Association. She was also featured in two major exhibitions organized by La Maison de la Petite Sara Art Gallery in the Republic of San Marino: "WOMAN AND ART" at the Automotive space, and "WOMEN ARE... ART, LOVE, LIFE, STRONGNESS" at Palazzo Graziani.

In 2025, she took part in the vernissage "Il Due Ponti per l’arte", where her paintings drew inspiration from the wines of Tenuta Ponziani. In September 2025, journalist Emidio Piccione wrote about the Due Ponti event in an article published on "Roma Good News". She participated in Rome Art Week (RAW) with an open studio and had four of her artworks included in the auction block at the "La Maison de la Petite Sara" Auction House.

In 2026, her works are being exhibited at the new gallery locations of "La Maison de la Petite Sara Art Gallery" in both the Republic of San Marino and Sanremo.

Throughout 2026, she has exhibited her work multiple times in collaboration with Alvideomarket at Satyrus. She also showcased her art with Alvideomarket at the Spaghetti Unplugged summer event (Spaghetti Festival), held at the Città dell'Altra Economia as part of the Testaccio Estate festival. Furthermore, she made multiple appearances with Alvideomarket at the Venart Show held at Parco Caracalla in Rome.

In 2026, she curated the vernissage "I sensi della natura" (The Senses of Nature) at Tenuta Ponziani in Orvieto. That same year, several articles detailing her art and vernissages were featured in the magazine Unfolding Roma.

Looking ahead in 2026, she will be exhibiting with the Alvideomarket format at Palazzo San Lorenzo and at The Sanctuary. In October 2026, she will once again participate in Rome Art Week (RAW).

“For me, intense and vibrant colors represent the most vivid manifestation of what I feel at a primordial level, stripped of all structures or pretenses; they are life, passion, death, and resurrection. Just as flicking a switch lights up a dark room, the surrounding world, people, travels, and nature spark sensations within me so powerful that I have no choice but to pour them onto the canvas.

My painting, created using acrylics on canvas, is highly textured (materica) and defined by constantly moving vortexes, fluid lines, and overlapping colors. Within these layers, distinct and sharp figures occasionally lose themselves, floating, swimming, or soaring—creating a harmonious contrast with the chromatic storm that surrounds and envelops them.”

Events at Rome Art Week

22 Oct 2026 | 18:00-22:00

VIO

My open studio will take place in my studio and garden, where food and drinks will be served. The location will be completely set up with my artwork, featuring both past projects and my brand-new ones.
Free access

Organizer VIO

Open Studio

Studio VIO

Via Prisciano 1