" DETONATOR"

There are only so many Where were you when...? moments in life. For my generation, and generations since, one could ask : Where were you when you first heard "Stairway to Heaven"?

Perhaps among the most important anthems of a time which followed the war in Vietnam, Watergate, Lunar Landing, Martin Luther King, The Beatles, JFK, RFK, the Cold War, and for Canadians: Expo 67 and Team Canada. It was a coming of age for a generation who practiced hiding under school desks in case of a nuclear attack. I was sixteen when I first discovered Led Zeppelin. It was 1971.

The arts, as always, provided the only true refuge. The Music scene, with all of the other arts, was keen to reflect this new direction. Alliances that seemed permanent were being broken in favour of new, more progressive ones, and in some cases, radically different ones. It was as if finally, the detonation had to happen. So who actually pressed the Nuclear Button in Music?

With all due respect to the great musicians of the period, the enduring impact of the "Big Blast" has to go to Zeppelin.

The privilege to complete a requested commission centered around one of the world's greatest guitarists has been a special one. I humbly thank Sandra and Craig. The included lyrics are from "Over The Hills and Far Away", a favourite of the collector, and my personal favourite, although it gets tougher to discern a "best" in such a wonderful body of work.

I will not delve into the band's history, or try to provide an essay to accompany the piece. The painting, like the cliche, is worth a thousand words. Perhaps tens of thousands. It does what it has to do: it takes you back to the feeling of the original impact through form and colour.

I'll only add this: Sometimes the only way to the light is by blasting open the darkness- and there lies the open road before you.

"DETONATOR", 70X64, mixed media on canvas, 2021, Commission, Private Collection

"The New Warholics and Visual Karaoke"

I will take this opportunity to humbly thank those artists (both living and passed) who have influenced my six decades of work.

That's right, I've been painting since my earliest recollections of finger painting in Kindergarten at Essex Street Public School near Christie Pits in Toronto. In all the time that I have been working, I scarcely recall a time where creativity has been devouring and regurgitating itself more than today. Please don't misunderstand me- art has always built upon the past.

What's different today is that many painters stop at what they think they've learned, and are content to offer a type of VISUAL KARAOKE as their own, without , in fact, "owning it". It is as if they are aware of a type of visual amnesia which has permeated the minds of the last couple of generations. When is a Warhol not a Warhol? When is a Pollock anything but throwing and splashing paint-he invented it, right? Or did he? Technique does not a style make! Or does it?

Let's make one thing clear: ART is about Freedom, Expression and a human need for outpouring. I get it. That is why I am simply observing and not judging. It's very exciting, this time of ultimate choice of media, throwing it all out there and offering it to the unsuspecting public as profound A..R...T....!!! Wow. Thank God for Damien, the Bitcoin of Art. He helped monetize all of this but wasn't alone in doing so. We now have temples to mediocrity sprayed upon unsuspecting walls with "mysteries" and stories" as components of "the piece", and to distract us from what might be rightfully perceived as a rudimentary stencil meant for the shredder at auction. Ah, but so meaningful and profound- but to whom? To the moneylenders and the philistines, perhaps?

"Grey is my favourite colour, I felt so symbolic yesterday. Mr. Jones and me. We stare at the beautiful women..........

IF I KNEW PICASSO.

" Broken Lens"

Adamo’s extraordinary use of colour , texture and design proliferate the canvas in this stunning portrait of John Lennon. “ Broken Lens” 40” x 72” Acrylic and mixed media on canvas. For any inquiries, contact us with our button below.

-JC( Curator)

" T.O.O" (The Only One)

All art invites criticism. Comparison. Judgement. Rejection. Acceptance. Reverence. It rarely occurs within the span of a single lifetime. The good artist borrows from the past and contemporaries. The great artist steals and creates something which exists as an entirely new way of treating the tried and true. It is a distillation process, resulting in a unique vision, taste or sound. The process overtakes the artist himself. The artist and his art become one, indistinguishable. This man, who hails from the G.T.A., with Ethiopian roots, has carved out a unique vision.

One could spend hours trying to identify influences in his body of work, but in the end, there is no denying something new has emerged. It’s more than pleasant or catchy or beautiful- and is there no more room for beautiful art?

Every time someone declares it’s all been done- the indefatigable soul of human creativity re-emerges.

So the artist distills his expression which often begins as “me too” into T.O.O.( The Only One)
- Adamo

2020

My sentiments at the beginning of 2020 were much in line with the general population: a mixture of optimism and apprehension. The apprehension soon dominated in that THE VIRUS took over life as we knew it. A creeping fear further arrested an already fragile economy. This, coupled with unusual politics (understatement) and voila: 2020: deadly year. The virus is not going away soon, despite the vaccines. Life may never get back to where it once was.

In all the negative news, however; there may be a message of new hope in that millions of people are re-prioritizing. So many of you have indicated to me that the fact we were "grounded" enabled you to spend time with family and friends- even if only through Zoom or Skype or phone. So many of you now know, as do I, that this precious life that we live, and the fragile planet we inhabit, must be cherished. Our kids, and grandchildren must inherit a place that we will leave as better than we found it . I know that in many ways, the world is much sicker in 2020 than it was in 1955, despite fresh memories of WW2, Hiroshima, Korea and the beginnings of the Cold War.

So this particular blog is my prayer of Gratitude for all of the strength that comes from adversity. Strength is the only thing worth praying for. It's what we all need to carry on and to do the good work we are here for. I will stop short of preaching- it 's not my place. I can speak only of what it is I am sure of: my art. In it, whether I like it or not, you'll always witness what's going on in the deepest parts my brain, and if you will, my heart. I've tried to catapult the positive vibes I have witnessed this year into my work, and this has resulted, in my humble estimation, in some of the the strongest pieces I have ever done. I am grateful for all of you who collect my work, or who simply follow my career. My hope is that you continue to experience the joy and wonder of creativity and that inspiration is the resulting gift of my art to you.

Pietro

All New Bel Vaso works

“Madame’s Butterfly” 48” x 48” acrylic on canvas

“Blue Opal” 48” x 48” acrylic on canvas

These beautiful new Bel Vaso series pieces , with their Giardini inspired floral textures and Adamo-esque geometric patterns are currently available. To see these pieces in detail go to our still life section in the available paintings.

-JC (Curator)

The Yorkville district in Toronto has been an area that has been reinvented many times since the early days of "Hog Town".

Today, and for the better part of the last half of the twentieth century, it could be argued that it has been home to the trend-setting demographic in the city, and perhaps the country. The vignette captured in my rendition of Yorkville, mixed media on canvas, 44"x44", alludes to the fashionistas who roam the famous streets (Cumberland, Hazelton,Yorkville, Avenue, Bloor) with appropriate handbags marked by an "x". They are seemingly oblivious to the real world around them witnessed by a solitary lamp post and church window. Ah, La Dolce Vita- right here, in T.O.! Rich textures in coral, seafoam and blushing pink-surrounded by white- oh pure white, and soft whites of course. Surely there is nothing more pressing in life than this bliss.

Imagine

“Liverpool-NewYork city” 56” x 46” Acrylic and mixed media on wood panel

Four decades ago, on a brisk New York October day, the last note in A Day In The Life rang out forever.  For those of us who felt numb at the reality of John Lennon's brazen, senseless murder; the last note, like lingering tinnitus, stays within us.  

No matter how many tributes, in recognition of his superstardom, both as an artist and activist- nothing can erase the feeling that somehow, the entire human race was shortchanged by a random act of unimaginable violence.  We were not given the chance to hear and experience his response to several wars since his passing.  How would he have reacted to nine-eleven?  How would his input have influenced generations of voters?  IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT THAT FORTY YEARS ON, HE WAS, AND REMAINS THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE BEATLES, and the collective expression of a generation.  

As a visual artist, my tributes are as sincere as only I can make them, with heartfelt appreciation for an artist who still makes a difference today, in what would have been his ninth decade.......Imagine

With sincere respect, admiration and gratitude,

Pietro

Ruby Tuesday: At The F***'N ELMO!

Where would you find a couple of Artsies on an idle Tuesday in T.O.?  At The El Mocambo of course!  

We could not wait to meet the man behind the vision: Michael.  Our thoughts were mutual:  Toronto needs more of his ilk.  We also met Max, Spence and Mitch and we were treated to a tour we'll never forget by none other than Max whose elegant presence and genuine enthusiasm is contagious.  We felt immersed in the immense history of this Toronto landmark, restored to a glory that is mind-boggling.  The place is as intoxicating as ever - to think our generation in particular held the Elmo in the highest esteem, at the top of a list which included Gasworks, Lee's Palace and the House of Lords.  

Toronto has its history, although not always neat and tidy, and sometimes laced with issues and substances and circumstances- it is, nonetheless, HISTORY.  It needs to be preserved.  It is a civic duty as well as good business.  

I'll not bother with descriptions of the multiple-million dollar renovation or ticket-prices which have definitely accounted for inflation.  You'll have to see it for yourself.  It is akin to viewing any of the major landmarks.  It oozes with our modern history, for written between the lines of actual historical events are the gatherings and happenings which give a social understanding of the decades.  These events (concerts, openings, parties et al) become the very history they seek to contextualize .  How often do we hear of deals having been sealed at the "gala" rather than in the boardroom?  

So much transpired within these restored walls- some moments over a drink or a song and a dance may have changed the course of history.  If only the bricks could talk!

On that note, I would like to dedicate the painting: "Postcards From The Elmo" to the grand re-opening of the Neon Palm and the people whose collective vision have made it possible.

Many thanks Max and crew, for the opportunity, and the wonderful tour,

Erica and Pietro

"Bleu Cabernet"

We’re incredibly proud to present an all new over size abstract work by Adamo. “Bleu Cabernet” 48” x 80”

acrylic on canvas. for any inquiries contact us through our provided form.