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60’s Mona
Did it really happen? The SIXTIES. That time, that decade, that Generation. Talkin' bout my Generation.
We did go to the moon, didn't we? Or did we? Did we really wear bell-bottomed elephant pants in purple, pink, orange and turquoise?
Every epoch has its Mona Lisa. Twiggy was ours. No, it wasn't Marilyn or Raquel or some voluptuous goddess.
It was all in her. In Twiggy we see the whole notion of that period. The emergence of a new consciousness which has since faded somewhat as the generation that questioned authority and the status quo eventually seized it and became "the new boss"- same as the old boss. The generation that questioned and demanded answers eventually settled into its lazy boy chair for life.
Today, those who question and demand answers are often regarded as "conspiracy theorists". We seem to have to sift through more truths than at any time in history.
Today we have the internet. Omnipotence. Big brother. Super Bowl commercials. Huawei. Massage Lazy Boy chairs.
Maybe the Sixties required some form of innocence in order for the revolution to happen. Or did it? The current generation, through no fault of its own seems to have been lulled to sleep. Death by smartphone.
Careful. We might wake them up.
Let me ponder that notion while I sit back in my massage "Chaise Lounge".
"Sixties Mona" acrylic on wood panel, 48x40
Solo Show Brights Gallery
We’re pleased to announce Pietro Adamo’s first Solo Show of the year at Brights Gallery. For more information send us a message with the provided form.
-Jonathan (Curator)
Highlights of 2018
I will state emphatically that this has been a very busy year which has been filled with many late surprises. A year-end review of the most important pieces seems to be in order. The year provided many opportunities for me to stretch as an artist through commissions, both in Canada and abroad. I was able to connect through abstracts, Giardini and Icons. Three particular commissions, all involving the Giardini series made me realise the special place these works hold in the hearts of their owners. Seeing the expression on their faces after placing the pieces never gets old. It is a gentle reminder as to why I paint.
Pensiero Bello 54” x 54” Acrylic on canvas
"Per Lei" is the title of a 36x72 brilliantly-coloured Giardini that found a home in Pittsburgh. A west-end Montreal home is the site of another 36x72 "Nuova Gloria". A softer, more subtle 54x54 Giardini (Pensiero Bello) adorns a wall in a beautiful east-end Toronto home. These pieces were all painted and placed in the autumn of 2018, and seemingly came all at once, out of the blue. What is interesting is that they all wrote to me to express the happiness and joy they derive from the work.
I cannot begin to tell you how humbling it is. And how heartwarming.
I was called upon to participate in a "Soiree" as one of the "headliners" for a quartz company called Han Stone. Little did I know that November 22, 2018 would turn out be a magical date in my career as an artist. I had to pull out all the stops to fulfil the obligation. The venue was superb, the music cool and the food and drink top notch. The art had to spectacular.
The abstract pieces named for two new quartzes in the Han Stone product line had to reflect the elegance and sophistication inherent in polished stone. I chose two 48x48 canvases and a monochromatic palette. These pieces possibly point in the future direction of my freestyle abstraction.
Portofino 48” x 48” Acrylic and mixed media on canvas
The circular piece, painted especially for Han Stone hangs on a concrete wall in the central showroom. In it, my entire experience for the strange but wonderful year that 2018 was is expressed. New Atlantis summoned my work to new heights, new aspirations. In a sense, the globus suggests all that is possible, and nothing impossible.
When I dare to allow myself to ponder where my work is on this planet- I feel the tremendous weight of the rare opportunity afforded me.
The year ahead looks busy and promising beginning with Hazelton Gallery in London, England and possible shows in Collingwood (Bright's), New York, and Miami.....I'll keep you posted.
I would like to thank all of the people who support my work throughout the world. My gallerists and reps are second to none.
I would like to thank J.M.Centeno, curator and special assistant.
I especially would like to thank my family as they are my greatest inspiration.
May 2019 shine brightly as a year which sees the world moving toward peace.
New Atlantis 72” dia Circle Acrylic and mixed media on panel.
Showcase piece: Chantilly
We are proud to showcase “Chantilly”, a beautiful 44” x 44” acrylic and mixed media piece, painted on 1.5” gallery stretched canvas. For more info contact Erica (Head curator and Studio manager) with our provided form.
-Pietro Adamo gallery
CANFAR: Bloor Street Entertains 2018
Once a year, during the Bloor Street Entertains CANFAR event, Toronto's heart shines a little brighter, and beats a little stronger.
Erica and I were privileged to attend the annual dinner and after party held at the Four Seasons Wednesday evening.
I have been donating art to this charity for a number of years, and the cause is supported by so many of Canada's who's who. The well-organised event centred around a silent auction in which two of my icon pieces were grabbing much attention and bids. "la Bionda D'oro (Marilyn) and Joan of Art (Gaga) did their part in raising funds. The best feeling one can have is that of giving a helping hand, and knowing that we have contributed in some capacity drives home the true purpose of this life.
Add one hell of a party, and well, it's all good!
Heartfelt thanks to our friend Logan and all the people who work hard to put together such a classy affair! May the money raised continue to help in the fight and continue to bring some comfort to those who suffer.
Hanstone Soiree
For all those who missed the show, please enjoy this short video.
-Pietro Adamo Gallery
Inspirational New works
We’re proud to introduce 2 new works by Pietro Adamo. These beautiful abstracts are part of the Hanstone series of works. For more information please contact Erica at the studio with our provided form.
-Pietro Adamo Gallery
Portofino 48” x 48” Acrylic and mixed media on canvas
Saint Laurent 48” x 48” Acrylic and mixed media on canvas
New Atlantis (Hanstone Collection)
New Atlantis 6’ circular panel Acrylic and mixed media on panel
It's just cool to paint on a circular panel or canvas. It's even cooler when the circular panel is part of the statement.
New Atlantis (6' circular panel, acrylic on wood, 2018, HanStone collection, Vaughan, Ontario) was meant to be painted on a circle, with subtle use of colour to create the suggestion of a sphere or globe. My view of the scope of HanStone's enterprise grew clear as I researched the company, its product and the attitude of its staff. I knew the piece would be there to reflect a time-honoured tradition of international cooperation in enterprise. It would have to speak of quality, of the past, present and future. It would have to somehow indicate the modern pace, but with roots in the global visions of the early explorers. It would have to, after all was said and done, still be an Adamo.
As I overheard business dealings going on in the beautiful showroom via portable device and at a seemingly calm pace, I realised I had stumbled into the future of enterprise (all this without eavesdropping, I swear).
Confidently and calmly, these young Hanstonians were communicating with the world and trade was happening. Exchanges of all kinds. In an instant, material quarried and refined in Canada could be allocated to practically any destination on earth.
I was transported back to my childhood and to my library books of choice :"They Put Out To Sea", "The Golden Hind" and "Explorers". I was quickly engulfed by the notion that there could still be a romantic and noble side to the idea of global enterprise and collaboration. The piece, then, would have to cause one to pause and reflect, and perhaps discover something new in it every day. A reminder of the brighter, bigger picture, and of how cool it is to be part of it. It would have to be as polished and beautiful as the quartz itself, and quietly command attention unto itself. It would have to inspire confidence. It would look to the future without compromising the present or revising the past. And since a picture is worth a thousand words, it would have to be a work of art.
New Atlantis, 6' diameter circular wood panel, mixed media, acrylic pouring medium, 2018 by Pietro Adamo
Dedicated to all who still aspire to building a better world.
Many thanks to HanStone
Up Close and Personal
And so it ends. And so it begins.
Two days after what turned out to be the most important show of my career to date, the social media buzz is still going. Go figure. A light-hearted approach to a show meant to entertain and be a part of the "ticket" became the show in which I actually witnessed people truly engaged in looking and discussing- actually taking in and digesting- the art. My art. Their art. They looked, they read and they even touched- ART. The space is so, so cool.
As the HanStone Soiree ended on Thursday evening, I was hearing the final note of A Day In The Life in my head. As the sun rose this morning, the Verve's Lucky man was playing. Humbled. Honoured. Entrusted. Fire in my hands.
The Horizon seems far away this morning. Keep swimming, I tell myself. You'll never get there.
Ahh...but the journey...the sweet journey.
A journey fuelled by love. Friends and family. Laughter. Sorry, no stories of angst and anguish here (although if we really wanted to dig deep...).
I got this from many people at the show: "It's all positive, uplifting, and still so interesting..."
Alrighty then, it may have been just the atmosphere and the wonderful music or maybe my uncle's fabulous wine.
But if that's my mandate, I'll take it. Engaging people, making them feel positive...there have been worse fates.
The art of my past, my present and my future got together for one evening and left me alone at the crossroads with a single direction.
Deepest gratitude to all those involved.