Barbara Matarrese was born and brought up in Venice, Italy. In 1973 she moved to London where she studied painting at Chelsea School of Art 1978-82. She also trained in photographic colour printing and architectural photography.

In the ‘90s she moved to the US where, while maintaining a distinct painterly quality, her work became predominantly photographic. She often uses her printed photographs as part of installations as exhibited in her last two US shows in Madison, WI. and Venice, Italy. Based predominantly in London, Barbara continues to travel to the US and Italy where she finds great inspiration for her work.