Artists

A Day With: Alessandro Siviglia

Siviglia

Alessandro Siviglia is a prizewinning Italian artist whose work draws upon graffiti and street art to create dynamic, collage-like pieces. We recently caught up with Alessandro to learn all about his creative process and how he spends a typical day in and out of the studio. Read on for the full interview!

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

The very first thing when I wake up is thanking God for another day. No joke! After that I get myself a coffee, of course.

What inspires you to create every day?

I get my inspiration from very different sources, from what I see around me, from travelling, watching documentaries, etc. Currently I’m very much into medieval art and Sicilian folk art.

Alessandro Siviglia, 'Donne Libere', 2019.  Acrylic, Spray paint on Canvas, 100x150cm.
Alessandro Siviglia, ‘Donne Libere’, 2019. Acrylic, Spray paint on Canvas, 100x150cm.

What does your work space look like?

Currently my studio is in a residential complex on street level. So it’s a bit like as if it was a shop, but there are no walk-in customers as I want no distraction when painting. Collectors who want to see my works at my studio can make an appointment.

Describe the core of your technique or style.

The core of my technique is the sketch. First I draw the outlines which I would call skeleton which need to be distinctive. When you start adding the colors into the skeleton you add the forms and volume, let’s say you make the body. It doesn’t matter if I color the back first and draw the outlines afterwards or vice versa. This technique is actually typical for graffiti paintings, which I converted to canvas.

Alessandro Siviglia, 'Gli Araldi della Regina', 2019. Acrylic, Pen, Spray paint on Canvas, 120x210cm.
Alessandro Siviglia, ‘Gli Araldi della Regina’, 2019. Acrylic, Pen, Spray paint on Canvas, 120x210cm.

What are your top 3 studio essentials?

I like to listen to music when painting. Often I just listen to a radio station, because I like the variety of songs and also when the radio hosts are talking. Sometimes they talk about something that would inspire me and influence what I’m painting.

How do you know or decide when an artwork is finished?

Good question. I guess a painting is never really finished. I stop when I look at the painting and it transmits an emotion.

Alessandro Siviglia, 'Inferno e Paradiso,' 2019. Acrylic, Pen, Spray paint on Canvas, 120x210cm.
Alessandro Siviglia, ‘Inferno e Paradiso,’ 2019. Acrylic, Pen, Spray paint on Canvas, 120x210cm.

What do you like to do to unwind after a day’s work?

When I come home I usually play with my son. He is to turn 1 year soon and I enjoy our time together.

What’s your overall favorite aspect of the creative process?

My favorite aspect is when I finish a painting, the moment I look at it and it transmits a strong emotion. But also when I sell a painting that makes me feel great and even more motivated to paint.

Alessandro in his Rome studio, 'Sivigliart'.
Alessandro in his Rome studio, ‘Sivigliart’.

Thank you Alessandro! See more of his dynamic art on Singulart or in person at the Expo Palazzo Velli in Rome June 7-10, 2019.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *