A mouth
artist painter
I was born in Trieste on 8th July 1977. Following a motorbike accident, I became a tetraplegic.
Once the most critical moment at the precious resuscitation area in Trieste was over, I was hospitalised at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre ‘Gervasutta’ in Udine where I remained from July 2004 to December 2005. At that time, besides familiarising with my new reality, I began painting with the mouth seen as I had enjoyed drawing before my accident.
Initially, I disliked the mere thought of holding a paintbrush with my mouth as it made me feel even more impaired. Then, after confronting myself with people around me including my physiotherapist, I decided to give painting a go, and in the occupational therapy room – while some patients were starting to cook again, and others would discover new movements or test new wheelchairs – I began stroking a white sheet of paper with colours.
That is when, with every stroke of paint, I would start familiarising with the paintbrush whilst beginning a different kind of rehabilitation, that of my inner world.
Every day I spent in that room, deep down inside I could feel I was able to overcome the terrible moments I was enduring and all thanks to that paintbrush which I initially perceived as an enemy, but later became my friend.
Back home, I attended classes with Professor Giorgio Cisco who introduced me to history of art and painting. Through his teachings, I began to find my own personal style where I could recognize myself.
In 2007, after being noticed by President Eros Bonamini, it was with great pride and happiness I received a scholarship to study at VDMFK, the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World with registered office in Liechtenstein.
In 2008, I met artist and Master of Art Isabel Carafì: through her teachings I began experimenting and learning several painting techniques until my artistic breakthrough.
My works are always the expression of my state of mind and draw from my inner feelings. Paintbrush and colours are the necessary tools to put that inner dialogue onto canvass. Such research is directed at a wider artistic journey, a motion which always starts from the heart, only to become physical movement.
Artistic activity
I try to enter the social fabric by expressing myself through my works.
The following list includes my activity in Trieste and other towns.
- 2006 Trieste - Un bambino è una stella. Organizzato dall’United Nation of the Arts Academy (UNA) per l’UNICEF.
- 2007 Pirano - Sixth Socrates Stavropulos Symposium, organised by UNA.
- 2007 Collective Cultural Exhibition “Vele e marine del nostro mare…” (Sails and marinas of our sea…)
- 2007-2008-2009 Exhibition of artists from Muggia (Trieste) at the Town Art Hall “Giuseppe Negrisin”.
- 2008 On the International Day of People With Disabilities, painting exhibition: “Movimento, musica, sogno, percorso” (Motion, music, dream, journey), at the IMFR Gervasutta in Udine.
- 2009 Collective exhibition at the San Marco Literary Cafè in Trieste.
- 2010 Youth art exhibition, Artefatto.
- 2010 Collective exhibition, “I nostri percorsi” (Our paths) at the Allianz Club in Trieste.
- 2011 Awarded with the Regional Solidarity Prize FVG for my distinguished work in visual arts.
- 2012 Collective exhibition at Audace Cafè in Trieste.
- 2015 Solo exhibition Arteabile / Town Art Hall “Arturo Fittke”, Trieste / Town Art Hall “Giuseppe Negrisin”, Muggia.
