In my artworks, the vertical lines I call “Vertical Concepts” are not mere geometric lines. In all their apparent simplicity, whether carved into wood or paint, they hold a profound meaning. These lines symbolize emotional stability, serving as anchors in a world that seems constantly oscillating between chaos and uncertainty. When I visualize a straight line, even if not perfectly drawn, I perceive it as a beacon of determination, a place where my inner silence can finally emerge

These lines become heralds, a shelter from the deafening noises and screams that surround me, allowing me to find a balance that often seems elusive. My search for inner peace is a never-ending journey: every time tormented thoughts surface, my mind searches for those “Vertical Concepts”. They represent steadfastness and remind me that my existence has meaning even in the darkest moments.

The marks engraved on my arms tell a story of pain, yet strength emerges from that fragility. My scars are vertical lines - Vertical Concepts - that speak of suffering, but also of survival. Day after day, artwork after artwork, my urge is to build a new “Vertical Concept”, the perfect one, yet never attainable, precisely because perfection is an infinite and unattainable pursuit. Art is made of painful, unattainable perfection. The “Vertical Concepts” speak of my resilience, my desire to live in the present, opening myself to the future, and letting go of the past.

Vertical Concepts. Deeply angry.

Cementite, water paint, acrylic on a wooden board.

35,5 x 35,5 inches - 2015 - Framed.

Sold to a collector in Rome.

“Artists can paint the sky red because they know it’s blue. Those of us who aren’t artists have to paint things as they really are, or people will think we’re stupid.” (Quote by Jules Feiffer)

I’ve been colorblind since birth, a reality that envelops me in a mosaic of nuances and meanings far deeper than mere shades. My condition, known as total colour blindness, presents a complexity that transcends ordinary perceptions. For me, light colours blur into elusive greys, while the depths of darkness swallow any hint of hue. The entire colour spectrum becomes a personal universe, one that defies description. Yet, despite this challenge, I have carved out a niche as an illustrator and Creative Director at a prestigious international communications agency, crafting numerous pieces of art in my own colours - echoes of a unique visual language born from my singular experience.

From a tender age, it was clear that discerning colours posed a significant challenge. When I first picked up a brush, beginning my journey with figurative art, I stumbled upon a fantastical realm that others could scarcely grasp. This vision became my sanctuary, where my colours - shadows and silhouettes - found their true identity amidst the obscurity.

As the years unfolded, an innate desire emerged within me: a yearning to immerse myself in the simplicity of black and white. This urge isn’t merely an escape from the vibrant shades I clumsily attempt to replicate; rather, it’s a quest to liberate myself from a world that often feels distant and foreign. Black and white offer me a medium through which I can express my essence authentically, weaving narratives without grappling with a language that remains just beyond my reach. While I occasionally wander back into the realm of colour, it is in its absence that I encounter a profound connection with my soul, finding clarity and depth in the stark contrasts that surround me. Here, my artistry flourishes, rich in the beauty of simplicity and honesty.

Vertical Concepts. Rediscover serenity.

Cementite, water paint, acrylic on canvas.

47 x 47 inches - 2017 - Unframed.

The intimate necessity to excavate the pictorial matter, to penetrate the surface of a canvas with my vertical marks, or “Vertical Concepts,” arises from a profound disillusionment with the superficiality, approximateness, insincerity, and chaos of the world around me. Each incision or scratch is instinctive and seemingly uncontrolled; however, beneath this facade lies a meticulous intention. Every mark I create serves as a gateway, an access point to my inner world, offering a yearning to delve deeper than mere appearances.

My artistic practice embodies a relentless pursuit of meaning - an urge to unearth the hidden truths that humanity often neglects to confront within itself. The act of engraving or scratching becomes a dialogue between my desire for authenticity and the facades that overwhelm our reality. With each “Vertical Concept,” I assert my presence, reaffirming my existence against the currents of uncertainty and instability that pervade contemporary life.

This search for depth is not merely a rebellious response to chaos but a structured endeavour to reveal underlying layers of significance. I aspire to break free from the constraints of surface impressions and dig into the essence of what lies beneath. In this journey, I seek to discover the truth—an elusive prize obscured by the clamour of triviality that so often characterises our collective experience.

Through my vertical gestures, I manifest my commitment to understanding and conveying the complexities of existence. In each stroke, I hold an unwavering belief that beneath the noise and disorder lies a profound narrative waiting to be told. The potential for revelation lies in the depths, awaiting those willing to look beyond the surface and embrace the richness of what it means to be truly present.

Vertical Concepts. Seeking liberation.

Sawdust, water paint, and acrylic on canvas.

47 x 47 inches - 2001 - Unframed.

Sold to a collector in Milan.

In my personal world, colour emerges as a captivating enigma, an unpredictable force that dances upon the canvas. Each stroke of paint becomes an exploration, where expectation collides with surprise. I often set out with the intention to wield a pure hue, envisioning a specific emotion or atmosphere. Yet, as I immerse myself in the process, the medium takes on a life of its own. The colours twist and swirl, intertwining in ways that defy my control, revealing depths and dimensions I had not foreseen.

The essence of my creations lies in their transformation; they are living entities that breathe and evolve under my hands. There is a profound beauty in this uncontrollable metamorphosis. What starts as a deliberate choice soon becomes an unpredictable journey through shades and tones, each alteration whispering secrets to my soul. As I stand back, gazing at the final piece, an indescribable satisfaction washes over me. It matters little what colours dominate the canvas, for it is the resonance of those vibrant vibrations that fulfil my perception.

In the end, the work transcends mere pigment—it becomes a reflection of my inner self, a manifestation of passion and spontaneity. It is here, amidst the chaos of creation, that I find solace. When I declare my piece complete, it is not merely an assertion of finality; it is the acknowledgement that this intimate dialogue with colour - unpredictable and raw - has birthed something undeniably mine.

Vertical Concept. I feel alone in the dark.

Sawdust, cementite, water paint, acrylic on canvas.

35,5 x 35,5 inches - 2019 - Unframed.

Sold to a collector in London.