We were lucky to catch up with Bruna D’Alessandro recently and have shared our conversation below.
Bruna , thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
Over the years, I have realized that the closer I get to my art and connect honestly with it, the more optimistic I become. Creativity, in most situations, fuels a positive outlook. I believe this comes from the fact that experimental art frees us from any barriers or preconceptions, allowing us to see the world in a new and imaginative way. The irrationality of art reflects who we and nature are, we-nature, unpredictable and incomprehensible. The act of creating itself is deeply satisfying and I feel incredibly fortunate to have woven this practice into my daily life.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am an artist and metal sculptor. My sculptures are primarily crafted in steel, though I also work with brass, aluminum, and copper. I like to test different ways of manipulating metals to create shapes that come from my observation of reality or that express a thought, that reflect a memory. A lot of my work happens between the hammer and the anvil. Through hammering, the shapes of my sculptures develop and transform into thoughts through the material. I hammer the steel sheet cold and hot based on the need for the shape I want to create. I love the forge and the atmosphere that is created around its tradition, the heat, the glowing spectrum of red, yellow and orange color, the smell. Welding is my routine and joining two metal parts by welding is one of the satisfying and enlightening things, an almost meditative process that requires calm and dedication, and the patience to observe the behavior of the liquefied metal. Sanding and polishing allows you to obtain amazing effects. And I could go on for a long time with the many techniques I am passionate about. I believe that every artwork is a study and at the same time the manifestation of a feeling. I like continuous experimentation from both a technical and a conceptual point of view. I like to be in constant movement and this curiosity is what drives my creativity.
One of the projects I am currently working on is a series of nature-inspired sculptures that aim to capture the poetry of nature’s forms through the expressive qualities of steel. I see nature as harmonious and beautiful in its infinite, cyclical transformation, and each work in this series is a study of organic forms in transition, preserved in a poetic gesture. Three artworks from my Nature Studies During Fall series are now on view in the group exhibition Light As Air at the Metal Museum in Memphis. The exhibition, which features incredible artists working with metal, is on view from March 2 to September 7, 2025. “The stunning array of metal-based works drawn from contemporary artists and the Museum’s permanent collection illustrates ways in which artists defy gravity, reframe light, and buoy the body” from the press release. In the three presented works, the melancholic beauty of fall leaves and the bodily harmony of an upside-down root—the delicate transformation of a body in slow decline—is conveyed through forging, smoothing, and oxidation of the material. Fallen leaves, embodying the cyclical essence of decay and renewal, reflect the necessity of rebirth within the process of regeneration.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
What comes to mind are technical skills, a willingness to understand yourself, and autonomy of thought. I like to continuously improving my technical skills—it brings me a sense of growth.
Even the smallest discoveries feel special and exciting to me. I have learned metalworking primarily at the Art Students League of New York and has been, and continues to be, the most meaningful gift in my journey. I cherish it deeply and strive to explore and expand my craft, as it fills my days with beauty. I think deepening your
knowledge—whether in your skills or anything you love—brings you freedom of expression, as it opens up endless possibilities. The best way to grow and stay inspired is through the exchange of knowledge with others and by dedicating some time to educational activities. Attending workshops, taking a course, engaging in discussions with fellow artists, teaching, these experiences help me expand perspectives, refine skills.
Understanding myself is difficult but essential. I believe making art is, in itself, an act of self-discovery, but it is not always enough. I believe that being mindful of your own thoughts and actions plays a significant role in happiness, yet it’s not always easy— especially if no one has ever guided you in that direction. However, I think the willingness to pursue self-awareness and work toward it should be a daily goal. Some activities that can guide in this direction include writing, therapy, sports, reading, conversations with friends, setting aside time for reflection, or any other practice that fosters a deeper understanding of yourself.
Third, I believe that cultivating independent thought means asking: What is it that truly captivates me at the core of my being, beyond external expectations and distractions? What is it that resonates so deeply within me that it becomes the driving force of my creative expression? The naturalistic sculpture project I mentioned earlier comes from my deep fascination with the liberating power of nature. It is something beyond our control, and therein lies its freedom: it is both liberating and empowering. It is the fascination of wild nature, which we long to connect with, of which we are a part. Nature exists around us and beyond us, with its independent cycles of growth, change and transformation. Each phase of nature is beautiful in its form. I am fascinated by the way a dry leaf rests on the ground, perfectly twisted in its natural state. By the rust color of its veins and its texture when it falls. I am interested in how steel can become that nature, that form, that feeling. The feeling of a fallen leaf. I research through steel that beauty and that wildness.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
The first thing I do is clean the studio! Organizing my space gives me a sense of order, which somehow translates into a clearer, more focused mind. My strategy also is to focus on one thing at a time. When too many ideas flood in at once, it can feel overwhelming, making it difficult to move forward. By dedicating my attention to a single task until it’s completed, I find that it not only brings a sense of clarity but also a feeling of accomplishment and calm—making it easier to take on the next challenge. The same applies to creativity. Even when inspiration strikes with an explosion of ideas, I remind myself: one artwork at a time. Sometimes giving each piece the focus it deserves allows it to fully develop, rather than getting lost in the rush of too many unfinished ideas.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brunadalessandro.com
- Instagram: @bruna_dalessandro
Image Credits
Photos in the artist’s studio by Thua Magalashvili
Art Documentation (white background photos) by KICK ART
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
