Enrico Pelissero – I want the viewer to pause and ponder. He is a writer and expert in various expressive techniques, he believes in an art capable of conveying messages and prompting reflection. His works are sometimes meticulous and rich in detail, like articulated thoughts; other times, instinctive, impulsive like gestures.
What do you describe in your artwork?
First of all, let me start by saying that I have never focused on a specific technique or type of work, as I am dedicated to both drawing and sculpture. What matters to me is addressing a topic, a theme that I want to examine and talk about because I believe it is necessary. I am convinced that through art – any form of art, be it a painting or a poem – it is possible to leave something behind or even transcend, go beyond. That’s why I’m not tied to techniques or materials. It all depends on what I want to say at that moment, and based on this, I choose how to express myself.
Do you primarily aim to convey a message through your artwork?
Often yes, often they are real “topics” that I like to address. But just as often, I find myself drawing because I feel the need to do so. In this case, I draw for myself and not to communicate with others or leave something behind. Drawing in this way relaxes me, and so I fill pages and pages with dense lines and shapes.
However, everything I do serves me to attract attention. I don’t know how this can be interpreted from a psychoanalytic point of view, but it’s something that drives me from the unconscious: everything is aimed at the viewer, because I like them to stop, observe, and think.
What do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from everything around me, from the forms that already exist in nature, which I use to create landscapes. These landscapes may seem almost alien, but they are actually very concrete. Sometimes I draw inspiration from the microcosm, from bacteria, from what is invisible because it is microscopic. In short, I have a blank page in front of me, I feel something emerging, and I strive to capture this something on paper.
One peculiar aspect of my work is that I almost always use black and white. I don’t feel comfortable with colors.
Can you tell us about one of your works to help us understand your creative process?
Let’s take the work “Un milione di segni” for example: I conceived it from the beginning as a section of forest, and gradually filled it with details. There’s a trunk here, micro-flowers there, plants creeping in and rebirthing. From that initial piece, other panels emerged that resemble each other, as if they were always echoes of that same voice. In “Pagliaccio,” instead, I wanted to create a self-portrait made up as a clown, with the fake nose, and so on. This too is a recurring theme: somewhat melancholic self-portraits, as if they represented a second personality of mine.
How do you find yourself with Cinquerosso Arte?
My collaboration has just started recently, but I can only speak positively about it. I didn’t expect someone to be so interested in my work, with the same dedication that I put into it. The results will show over time, but I felt understood and supported.
