MPB Meets: Artist and Photographer Claudia Fuggetti

Claudia Fuggetti is an artist and photographer based in Taranto, Italy. Claudia’s work explores the boundary between reality and imagination, using photography, video and digital painting to offer fresh perspectives on contemporary life. Her images create alternative realities that reflect tension towards the future and technology, blending views through her unique use of colour and various mediums. 

Claudia Fuggetti was chosen to be part of the FUTURES X MPB Residency and will present her work at the Unseen Amsterdam Photography Fair. 

FUTURES is an European photography initiative that unites the international photography community to foster the growth of emerging artists. Their mission is to give a platform to photographers in the early stages of their career by showcasing their work and offering them access to an extensive network of industry professionals, markets and audiences. Unseen is an art fair, hosted in the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam, dedicated to the latest developments in contemporary photography.

We spoke with Claudia about her project Metamorphosis, her creative process, inspiration and the meaning behind her work.

MPB: Tell us about yourself, what is your background and how did you end up in photography?

CF: I began photographing at 15, using MySpace to share my work and discovering it as a powerful means of connection. After high school, I studied cultural heritage near my hometown, Taranto, in Italy. Taranto is marked by both beauty and industrial pollution, which influenced my perspective. 

I earned a master’s degree at Milan’s Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA), which is known for its fashion and photography focus. I then worked for two years as a photo assistant for art and design magazines. 

To expand my knowledge, I pursued a second master’s degree in digital cultures. I became fascinated with new technologies and the blurred boundaries between the real and unreal. This exploration now defines my photographic practice, which aims to provoke and unsettle the viewer.

MPB: How did you find your own style?

CF: My style developed through experimenting with unconventional techniques, like blending Google’s Deep Dream generator with real-world images. Inspired by Aldous Huxley’s The Doors of Perception, I am drawn to a psychedelic approach. I’m also influenced by sources like Tom Gunning’s book Fantasy of Color in Early Cinema, artists who use vibrant colours and light, and filmmakers such as Stanley Kubrick and Andrei Tarkovsky.

I explore the boundary between the real and the unreal, using digital manipulation and vivid colours to challenge the viewer's perception. 

My process combines planning with spontaneous experimentation, often inspired by music and philosophy. For instance, David Abram’s ecological philosophy influenced my project Metamorphosis, which explores how we perceive nature. My work aims to destabilise conventional viewpoints through a mix of vivid colours and innovative techniques.

Read the MPB guide to light painting.

MPB: What inspires you to create?

CF: I draw inspiration from a wide range of sources, including music, film and new technologies. I’m particularly fascinated by the intersection between reality and fantasy, exploring the grey area where they blend to create an ambiguous experience that confuses and challenges the viewer. I’m also motivated by themes like climate change and our relationship with nature, as seen in my project Metamorphosis, inspired by the idea that we are intrinsically connected to the natural world.

My creative process involves a mix of experimentation and reflection, often sparked by personal experiences, like my father's battle with cancer and the pollution in my hometown of Taranto. Photography began as a way for me to connect with others and express my sensitivity when I was shy and isolated, and it has since become a vital part of my life, pushing me to keep creating.

I find inspiration in unexpected details, like hidden elements in my photos, and from interactions with viewers who offer fresh perspectives on my work. I believe art can bring hope, even in dark times, and this sense of discovery and connection keeps me motivated to explore and innovate.

MPB: Can you tell us more about your project, Metamorphosis, and its exhibition at Unseen Amsterdam?

CF: I started this project driven by my sensitivity to climate change and how we perceive our connection to nature. I was inspired by David Abram's idea that nature is not separate from us but part of the same whole. I explored how we often treat nature as a mere backdrop or object, questioning how much we genuinely care about it. The project blends landscapes from my home region of Puglia, Italy, and those in the Netherlands. I used vibrant, almost artificial colours to reflect both the life within nature and our consumerist approach to it.

This work was first shown during the FUTURES X MPB RESIDENCY and later in a small exhibition in Modena, Italy. I’m excited to present it at Unseen Amsterdam as part of the FUTURES booth, where I’ll also debut new pieces of Metamorphosis, like A New Era, which is highly abstract. Printing these works brings them to life in a tangible way, allowing for real interaction with the public. I'm eager to see how viewers will respond to this new phase of my exploration.

MPB: How did you approach editing your work? Do you have a philosophy or set of principles that guide your choices?

CF: My approach to editing is flexible and guided by the vision I want to achieve. I use a mix of analogue techniques, like coloured gels on the flashguns, and digital adjustments in Photoshop, depending on the desired mood and atmosphere.

I don’t follow strict rules. Instead, I adapt to circumstances and embrace the unexpected. Surprises, like discovering details I hadn’t noticed while shooting, often guide the final outcome and add new layers of meaning.

Overall, my editing philosophy balances intention with spontaneity. This allows each photograph to tell its own story, often in ways I hadn’t initially imagined.

MPB: What kit do you use and how important is the right gear for you as a photographer?

CF: I currently use a Nikon D750, which is a great camera that I’ve been using for over five years now. And, for my FUTURES X MPB RESIDENCY, MPB lent me the Nikon D850. The D850 offers higher resolution and is easier to use, especially for self-portraits. My favourite lens right now is the 24-120mm f/4G ED VR. It offers such versatility, allowing me to adjust my distance from the subject as needed.

The right gear is crucial for my work because it influences my approach and technique. The camera’s weight and handling can impact how I interact with my subjects and the overall shooting process. While I’m fast and need a camera that supports quick adjustments, my style isn't focused on street photography. So, I value equipment that offers flexibility without requiring extreme proximity to the subject.

MPB: What role does experimentation play in your work?

CF: Experimentation is central to my work. I often start by listening to music and experimenting in Photoshop, allowing my imagination to guide the process. I like to play with ideas and adjust photos based on my creative flow. This approach is influenced by various inputs, including visual and non-visual sources, like books and philosophical ideas. My creative process is spontaneous and driven by a mix of conscious and subconscious inspiration.

MPB: How do you define success as an artist? Has that definition changed over time?

CF: For me, success as an artist means creating a unique, imaginative world that also reflects current realities, like issues affecting nature and humanity. It’s about balancing personal vision with meaningful commentary on contemporary life.

My view of success shifted significantly after my father’s illness in 2021. It reinforced my commitment to pursuing my passion despite doubts from others. Success now is about dedicating myself to my dream and persevering even when faced with scepticism.

MPB: How do you balance personal expression with the expectations or tastes of your audience?

CF: I prioritise personal expression in my art, aiming to reflect what moves me internally and present it in an aesthetically pleasing way. Balancing this with audience expectations involves being open to feedback. 

For instance, during an exhibition in Modena, a visitor wanted to purchase my work called Floating Islands, which I didn’t consider strong individually. He explained why he loved this specific image and why it spoke to him. This experience helped me see my work from a new perspective. I adapt based on such feedback. And, as a result, I’m including that photo in the upcoming exhibition at Unseen Amsterdam, appreciating its impact on others.

MPB: How do you stay motivated and inspired, especially during creative blocks or periods of doubt?

CF: To stay motivated and inspired, especially during creative blocks, I immerse myself in reading. It often sparks new ideas. I also see art as a source of hope, which helps me persevere. Living and working in different environments keeps me engaged. And I find renewed inspiration in discovering unexpected details in my own work, which reignites my creativity.

MPB: What is the best piece of advice you've received or what advice would you have for an aspiring artist?

CF: The best piece of advice I can offer is to believe in yourself and your creativity. There will always be people who doubt you or think your dreams are unrealistic. Even when faced with scepticism or challenges, it’s crucial to stay committed to your passion. 

When it comes to the role of AI, it holds potential to support creativity and provide more freedom, but it's important to remain cautious. AI can be both exciting and intimidating, especially when it blurs the line between real and synthetic content. I hope that as technology evolves, it will enhance our ability to pursue our creative dreams without compromising our humanity.

MPB: Do you feel AI is a threat to you as an artist?

CF: Yes, AI poses a potential threat, but I manage its impact carefully. AI creates different versions of reality, while photography, though filtered, offers a unique perspective between reality and art. I value photography’s distinct ability to present a vision through a lens, which remains different from AI-generated content.

MPB: What can we expect to see from you in the future?

CF: My next project is a collaboration with a collective of creatives: an architect, two designers, a filmmaker and a journalist. We will be creating an archive to document my hometown in the south of Italy. This will be an open-source archive, as we all feel passionately about it and everybody's free to contribute. We want to document the town’s authenticity, untouched by gentrification and the cookie-cutter way all big cities are now taking shape.

Read more interviews on the MPB content hub.