Louise Giovanelli’s First and Last

Manchester-based painter Louise Giovanelli is known for her large-scale paintings that capture sensual and ephemeral glanced moments using mesmeric colours and carefully crafted textures. Her subjects draw on everything from Renaissance paintings to pop culture, including staged photographs, film stills, classical sculpture and architecture. The resulting work is captivating and hypnotic in its ability to slow down the act of looking. Giovanelli has a busy year ahead. On 26th March, she opens her first solo show in Asia at White Cube Hong Kong concurrently with an exhibition at He Art Museum in Foshan. Later this year, she will also be open a major show at The Hepworth Wakefield and at Tank Shanghai in November 2025.

First: George’s leg

The first photo on my phone is from 2014. It’s my name tattooed on my friend George’s leg. I remember he got it as a birthday present to me. George and I studied Foundation together in Manchester. He then moved to London for his BA, but we visited each other regularly and this must have been one of his trips back up north because the location says Withington. I also recognise my old fish tank in the background, so it would have been taken in my third-year student house.

Last: deli bargains

The last photo on my phone is from last Sunday. It’s an incredible deal at a deli near where I live – five bagels, three toppings and smoked salmon for £5.95. How is it possible? No-one knows. It’s called ‘The special’. I won’t say where it is because I want it to last forever, but suffice to say I’m obsessed.