The murmur of a watercourse and the grandeur of the woods, a silent companion just a few steps from her home, have left a mark in her growth. Barbara Ortelli Pin, born and raised in Lugano, Switzerland, studies as a textile designer at Centro Scolastico Industrie Artistiche (CSIA) in Lugano. Over the years her journey, significantly enhanced by the advanced courses attended at the International School of Illustration in Sarmede and other venues, has evolved through constant experimentation—an unrelenting quest for her own voice in original expressive forms.

The creative kaleidoscope that defines her world, focus on colour, composition, and tactile perception, intertwines with the broad spectrum of her artistic interests: from textile art to illustration, from artist’s books to miniprints. These elements converge into a unique universe firmly bond with nature. The micro-macrocosm of nature is the inspirational key for Barbara, firmly anchored in personal memories that nourish her artistic journey.

Some of her works delve into social themes, as seen in “L’ombra che cercava la sua luce” a contemplation of dehumanization by reinterpreting Chekhov’s “Ward No. 6,” available on Apple Books. Or the issue of sea pollution depicted in the tapestry “Marea nera”.

For years, she has been involved in organizing the exhibition series “Art in Hospital” in Lugano.

Her first exhibition dates back to 1989; since then, she has regularly participated in national and international exhibitions.

Currently living in Como, near the Swiss border, her artistic approach is guided by intuition, skillfully combining tempera, pencils, acrylics, inks, needles, and colored threads. Creating art is Barbara’s form of communication, and her guiding principle is to have fun.

Exhibitions:

2024

Il filo del discorso. solo show. Galleria Ghetto Et Cetera,Venice, Italy

2023

V Biennale Oggetto Libro, ADI Design Museum, Milan, Italy

Artbox.projects Zürich 5.0 semifinalista, Swissartexpo, Zürich, Sviss

11th International Mini Textile and Fibre Art Exhibition “Scythia”, Ivano-Frankivs’k, Ukraine

Other books-Altri mondi, XIV Festival del Libro d’artista, Biblioteca Poletti, Modena, Italy

XIV Festival del Libro d’Artista e della piccola edizione, Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain

2022

Mostra Internazionale del Libro d’Artista, IX edizione, Noto, Italy

6° Biennale de Livres d’artistes à Notre-Dame-du-Portage, Canada

42nd Mini Print International of Cadaqués, Spain; UK

The International contemporary Miniprint of Kazanlak, Art Gallery Kazanlak, Bulgaria

XIII Festival del Libro d’Artista e della piccola edizione, Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain

2021

21st Mini Print International Exhibit, 5.11.21-22.1.2022. Ink Shop Printmaking Center Studio Gallery. Ithaca NY

Mostra internazionale del libro d’artista, VIII edizione. Museo Civico, Noto, Italy

The winners art paper international. Edition II and III. Galerie l’Atelier, Huenibach (BE), Sviss

The 10th International biennial exhibition of mini textile art “Scythia”, Ivano-Frankivs’k, Ukraine

The 2nd International biennial exhibition of micro textile art “Scythia”, Ivano-Frankivs’k, Ukraine

2020

Art: 3 Art Paper International 2020. Galerie L’Atelier, Huenibach (BE), Sviss

2019

Biennale internazionale del Libro d’Artista, BILA 2019. Badoere di Morgano, Italy

2018

Mostra internazionale del Libro d’Artista, V edizione. Bassi Palazzo Ducezio, Noto, Italy

2017

X Festival del Libro d’Artista e della piccola edizione. Centre Civic Pati Llimona, Barcellona, Spain.

Interpretazioni contemporanee per le immagini devozionali. Koinè ricerca. Fiera di Vicenza, Italy.

XXXIV Mostra internazionale di illustrazione per l’infanzia (allievi) Brugherio, Italy.

2016

XXXIV Mostra internazionale di illustrazione per l’infanzia (allievi), Sarmede, Italy.

II rassegna internazionale del libro d’artista. San Donà di Piave, Italy

Illustration: Migrazione d’aria, zoologia del sud. Trento film festival, Italy

2015

35th Mini Print International of Cadaqués, Girona, Spain

Interpretazioni contemporanee per le immagini devozionali. Koinè ricerca. Fiera di Vicenza, Italy

2014

Illustration: La casa di Babbo Natale, MAG Museo Alto Garda, Riva del Garda, Italy

Art books: Journées de la culture. Notre-Dame-du-Portage, Canada

2013

Illustration: La magia del Natale, MAG Museo Alto Garda, Riva del Garda, Italy

Da Sarmede a Venezia, Palazzo Ferro Fini, Venezia, Italy

Art for HAART, Sala dei Passi Perduti, Palazzo delle Nazioni, Genève, Suisse

2012

Illustration: “Venezia e l’acqua”. Sarmede, Italy

XXX mostra internazionale dell’illustrazione per l’infanzia (allievi), Sarmede, Italy

2011

XXIX mostra internazionale dell’illustrazione per l’infanzia (allievi), Sarmede, Italy

2010

Illustration: “Vele, nuvole e tempeste”. Sarmede, Italy

XXVIII mostra internazionale dell’illustrazione per l’infanzia (allievi), Sarmede, Italy

“Venezia ieri, oggi, domani”. Associazione Teatrio, selezionata con menzione speciale, Venice, Italy

2009

Illustration: “Viaggi, incanti e miraggi”. Sarmede, Italy

XXVII mostra internazionale dell’illustrazione per l’infanzia (allievi), Sarmede, Italy

2008

XXVI mostra internazionale dell’illustrazione per l’infanzia (allievi), Sarmede, Italy

2006

XXIV mostra internazionale dell’illustrazione per l’infanzia (allievi), Sarmede, Italy

2° International Quiltfestival, Wilwerwilty, Luxembourg

Patchwork et art textile contemporain, Dijon, France

Patchwork et art textile contemporain, Arras, France

2005

4° Festival européen du Crazy Quilt et Art textile, La Bourboule, France

Textile art: Esposition internationale, Athénée royal de Philippeville, Belgique

2004

Collettiva, Chiasso, Sviss

3° Festival européen du Crazy Quilt et Art textile, La Bourboule, France

Textile art: Fragments, Mairie du 9° arrondissement, Paris, France

1999

Textile art: Défilé, Saint Jean de Luz, France

1998

Art textile contemporain, Château de Trévarez, St. Goazec, France

1997

2° esposition patCHquilt, Grenette de Berthoud, Sviss

1992

Personale, Municipio di Pregassona, Sviss

1989

Collettiva, Porza, Sviss

Artemoda, Galleria La Chica, Pregassona, Sviss