We are proud to announce Julia Fullerton-Batten‘s participation in the 4th edition of the Biennale della Fotografia Femminile in Mantua (March 6 – 29, 2026). In an era marked by uncertain borders and radical transformations, Julia’s gaze stands out as one of the most lucid and powerful on the international scene, capable of translating the invisible tensions of our time into images of dazzling, cinematic beauty.
THE PROJECT: Contortions (2021)
The project “Contortions” is a hypnotic descent into the resilience of the human body. Julia Fullerton-Batten draws inspiration from one of the oldest and most visceral art forms—contortionism—to stage a narrative that goes far beyond pure physical performance. Conceived during the suspended silence of the first lockdown, this series becomes a carnal metaphor for our psychological condition: the body bending, twisting, and flexing to the limits of the possible is not just an exercise in strength, but the reflection of a soul trying to adapt to an unknown threat.
Every shot is a microcosm of technical perfection and emotional charge. Fullerton-Batten uses sculptural light to highlight every muscle and every tension, transforming her subjects into modern deities struggling between vulnerability and power. It is a “serpentine dance” that celebrates the triumph of optimism over fear: the innate human ability to bend without ever breaking, finding in its own flexibility the key to survival and rebirth. Beyond its conceptual value, the exhibition highlights Fullerton-Batten’s meticulous focus on the material quality of her work. From the precise choice of photographic supports to the museum-quality framing, each piece stands as a highly refined art object where the image becomes a physical and tangible presence.
THE CURATORIAL THEME: LIMINAL
Julia Fullerton-Batten’s work fits perfectly within the “LIMINAL” theme, chosen by curator Alessia Locatelli for this edition. As Locatelli points out, we live in a condition of “threshold,” a transitional moment where old orders falter and new ones have yet to reveal themselves. In this social and economic limbo characterized by global unrest, Julia’s photography becomes a vital tool for awareness and empathy: a necessary bridge to navigate uncertainty and rediscover the deep meaning of relationships and human identity through the masterful staging of the body.