FROM THE ENCOUNTER BETWEEN NATURE AND ART  ARE BORN THE CRAFTWORKS BY EMY PETRINI

When a willow meets creativity and love of nature, here comes the art of Emy Petrini.

Attracted by the perfection of nature, Emy has arrived today to be a known floral designer admired and courted by designers, artists and entrepreneurs for whom she creates true artworks, using willow branches and other plant matter.

We, who have visited the showroom in the old Lucca, the Officina (within the city walls) in which realizes and exhibits her creations, we have collected for you a very interesting interview that will take you right into Via Bacchettoni in the early twentieth century foundry  where, behind the great iron and glass door, the space–exhibition she presents her natural sculptures. Something truly unique and exciting!

Emy Petrini, as you get to make love for nature your job?
Maybe being born in Valgiano, surrounded by olive trees and vineyards, it has led me in that direction …
In 2000, I decided to implement a project to which I was prepared undertaking the artistic studies; I restored this space of 250 square meters, the Antica Officina, in order to direct it for exhibitions and cultural events. I wanted it to become a reference point for this type of events in Lucca but, sometimes, the reality resizes the dreams and lacking a solid feedback I brought attention to nature, where I found solace at first and later the inspiration and strength to dedicate myself to my new adventure: the creation of furnishing objects and vegetable sculptures, made only with natural materials.

What is needed to become a Floral Designer, apart from a great passion for nature?
In 2007, when I saw that the “space” not working as I wanted, I decided to work in close contact with nature. I followed the studies in Wales and within a year I was able to acquire the right skills and strength needed to embark on my new profession as a floral designer. Then in 2008, on my return to Italy, the first exhibition in Florence allowed me to be noticed and contacted for achievements in Florence (specifically for Pitti). Here arrived the Replay executives and I have been entrusted a great job they arrived, or rather the job of my dreams: the construction of a wood “The enchanted forest” for the Berlin trade fair.
Well 25 panels with 2 m to 2.10 m!

How to make your artworks?
I do a drawing and then proceed with the preparation of the frame, completely in Willow. Finally I’m going to weave the willow to finalize my project.

Can you tell us something about of your creations?
For Starhotels E.C.HO, I realized “Dragonfly” and “The Red Carpet” .Quest’ultimo is a tapestry inspired precisely by the vineyards of Valgiano and consists of 1678 well-vine leaves!
Another creation, for example, is the Big Nest with ferns, branches and brooms, suspended among the olive trees of the National Park of Sila Piccola, where I was invited to a symposium of sculpture along with 5 internationally renowned sculptors. I could still speak of the “Sun” The Volatore” or the “Shelters“: the latter are presented as an ascending and slender vortex upwards, created with long willow branches rendered docile by day in the water …

And for the individual who wants to have in the garden or in the house a creation of yours?
I tried to differentiate my productions and I follow two paths: one more artistic, which provides great structures, and the other related to the design. In the latter case i realize such as lamps, curtains with various techniques, pot holders and flower frames to complete and renew, every one according to their creativity.

To those who are wondering, Being 100% natural products, which is the “maturity” of such objects, Emy says that these productions do not really have a deadline, but need more attention, and for this reason even more precious.

How and where to find Emy Petrini. If these creations make you curious, I invite you to go to Via Bacchettoni in Lucca, at the Antica Officina, where you will meet this talented artist intent to design or create new sculptures.
Ah! If you can not find it … most likely she has in her woods to collect branches, leaves, bark, shrubs and other elements which will take shape new and exciting creations.

Anna Lisa Del Carlo