BLOG
Nirvana: Begrungingly Yours
Nirvana: Begrungingly Yours 40 x 48 acrylic on wood panel
Nirvana altered the course of music history. Cobain’s life like all life on this planet was brief. His life was cut short. Like a shooting star his was one brilliant, shining moment. Many thanks to a collector who privileged me with this commission. -Pietro Adamo
Woodstock 50: Unearthed
Woodstock 50 : Unearthed 60” x 48” acrylic and mixed media on wood panel.
I was fourteen years old and could only salivate after the thought of what had transpired in the summer of '69.
An entire generation was going to the moon.
Literally.
Everywhere was a song and a celebration.
The jet bombers turned into butterflies.
We were stardust. We were Golden.
Was that it? Was that our School of Athens moment? Was that truly the dawn of a new age?
THAT WAS FIFTY YEARS AGO.
Today, the only line that seems to ring true is credited to the WHO: .......same as the old boss. We did get fooled again, and again.
I painted " Woodstock 50: Unearthed " as an archaeological fragment, a slightly worn out figment of my imagination dug out of the fondest rose-coloured memories of a youth who waited in the wings, watched longingly from the sidelines. Too young and Catholic to truly participate, but old enough to know what was going on. Fifty years on, I wouldn't trade my vantage point for the world. I gave it a passing thought that summer-how could I possibly get there, and how much would it cost?
But I had to work.
At my grandfather's grocery store.
Didn't stop me from dreaming about it, though.
Plus it was in New York.
Oh well....
My dream will have to do.
"Woodstock 50: Unearthed" , mixed media on wood, 48"x60" by Pietro Adamo.
Enjoy responsibly.
Exploration & Discovery
Exploration 58” dia. circle Acrylic on wood panel
Discovery 58” dia circle. Acrylic on wood panel
Exploration and Discovery are the two circular pieces currently receiving much attention. True, the circle seems to be all the rage today as a preferred shape, and spheres can be seen as part of, or central to art installations in many exhibitions.
My decision to fill the circles with simple, fragmented patterns came as a result of where my mind always goes when confronted by the wonderful circle: globe, universe, exploration, discovery, and archaeology. I have worked within the framework of the circle many times, and always, I tend to feel the allure of new boundaries, and no boundaries.
For Exploration and Discovery, I went back to the fragments of pottery excavated and displayed in the museums of Athens, Rome, Madrid, London, Sicily and Crete. The worn finishes from frescoes in Iraklion and Pompeii. These seemingly simple patterns can be found around the globe. The simple geometry acts as a universal visual language, like music for the eyes. These patterns link us more than we might give them credit for. They can be found anywhere: On clothing, on utensils, as architectural motifs in government buildings or wooden huts- in temples, cathedrals or primitive worship circles. They randomly appear, and practically everywhere on the planet, in every culture, in some form or another. Humans have been discovering and re-discovering these patterns as if they all were mandalas. Universal visual truths perhaps. Perhaps they tell us more about our similarities than our differences.
Wherever you go- there you are.
Exploration and Discovery, 58" diameter acrylic on wood panel 2019
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