MAURO PERUCCHETTI
Addressing issues within contemporary society, Mauro Perucchetti’s striking pop art proves to reflect the height of the 21st century.
Influenced by the likes of Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol and Piero Manzoni, Italian artist Mauro Perucchetti’s captivating and bold contemporary pop art proves to deliver the viewer with deeper levels of meaning over the world or materialism, medical ethics, consumerism and religion, to name just a few. His broad appeal and engrossing use of enticing materials sees his work reflect that of a desirable consumer item using recognizable objects such as grenades, pills and jelly babies as he attains to new innovative creative thinking to which he successfully delivers throughout his broad collection of works.
His years of experimentation brought him to the use of resin, which has now become of signature of Perucchetti’s style and aesthetic. Whilst critical, his works convey a light-hearted attitude within the fine arts. His message is subtle yet powerful, as he relies on the symbols of modern day issues to substantiate his beliefs, whilst leaving open for interpretation. The eloquence of his vibrant, liquid like jelly babies symbolizes what he calls the “disposability that permeates all aspects of the contemporary consumer society, using it to mock the aspirations that this society claims that it has, but yet so often cynically betrays”. One of Perucchetti’s biggest engineering feats “Notre Dame” made in 2000 was inspired by a visit to Paris taking 6 months.
His wife Lorena stated “walking around and just happening to pass by the cathedral of Notre Dame which Mauro had seen many times before and he could not help noticing the long queues of people which were there from all different parts of the world and obviously from different backgrounds and religions, all in awe of this wonderful piece of architecture, history and what it stood for”. Thus the impressive work featuring 6,212 jelly babies handmade and assembled in colour order. Becoming a metaphor and the “perfect example of multicultural society, mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s culture”. The spectacular work is available to view at Art Miami with Waterhouse Fine Art Gallery New York in early December.
What made you decide to become an artist?
From an early age I was probably spending more time drawing, painting and making things with my hands than studying. When, for my parent’s sake, I tried to decide what I was going to do in life, I was overwhelmed by all the possibilities. This, I think, is the first unfortunate sign of a creative mind, which needs to experiment with so many things before devoting all it’s got to one thing. For the next 30 years or so I lived as freely as possible, whilst allowing for the need to make a living, until, at the age of 50, I decided that no amount of money or worldly comforts should keep me from being creative on my own account rather than just on behalf of other people and, most importantly, I had to create my art first rather than as a “hobby”. I sold my business and my house to finance my art projects which by then had become much more involved.
What is your primary goal as an artist?
With my work I like to make personal elaborations rather than presentations and observations rather than shoving a concept down your throat but I always have a passion for aesthetics. I always prefer an artwork to draw the viewer in first with its beauty rather than with its lack of it. Then, hopefully, the time one spends absorbing the less obvious content becomes a less strenuous experience.
What are you inspired by right now?
Right now I am inspired by how much pompous shit art there is out there and how glamourized it is when in certain hands. I am in a rebellious mood and I am driven by a creative process which has to be devoid by any concept, reason, curatorial restrains and, most importantly free from any economic sense.
Where is your all time favorite travel destination and why?
I love driving cars and riding bikes and over the years I have really explored many Countries in depth to the point that my wife Lorena calls me the Forrest Gump of driving. I always enjoy North America because of it’s natural beauty and how easily accessible the wilderness is. I also enjoy touring around Italy, which is so full of history and great food. And last I love New Zealand where I used to go often for long periods.
Where to next?
My next important destination is the place where I am going to build a house/studio where I can stay put as, at the moment, may wife and I are living out of a suitcase because of constant work travels.
Do you choose to develop a relationship with many/any of your clients? If so, why?
We meet a lot of wonderful people through work and we are very gregarious when out there but, deep down, Lorena and I are both loners.
What do you love about your work?
What can you think of that is better than making a living doing what you love the most. I can exercise my body but to keep the brain busy is more complicated and my work gives me that.
Tell us about your latest Qatar show, Resinfication
I greatly enjoy working with Anima Gallery who share the same level of passion for art as my own. I am showing a body of work that represents years of work driven by an obsession with experimenting with new mediums to the point where I repeated the same sculpture using different materials, with this being the end result. It’s a celebration of form and technique with resin emerging as the protagonist. I am exhibiting some very early works.