Pioneers: Alia Romagnoli

What does your work involve? 

I am a photographer and visual artist and much of the work I like to make focuses on fashion, portraiture and dark-room experimentation.

What inspires you?

My work often explores LGBTQIA+ narratives and South Asian stories both inside and outside the diaspora. I was raised in India by my mother and grandmother and have always looked up to my matriarchal family, which also had an influence on my work later on.

Growing up in Karnataka, I have always found everyday life the most inspiring and it is what I look to when creating work. The flower markets, architecture, food, mythology, folk art and fashion all weave their way into my practice.

What message would you give to the next generation? 

Keep making work that feels honest and true to yourself. Find inspiration outside your medium, take breaks and experiment. Your path is not always linear, so trust the process and always be kind.