In Noto, in a former convent, the artist Sergio Fiorentino has created his marvelous creative studio, a retreat where his works are born dreamily shaped by the blue of the sky and the dazzling light of the capital city of the Sicilian Baroque.

The works of Sergio Fiorentino, an artist born in Catania in 1973, are a refined alchemical distillation of neoclassical Sicily and the vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere that has distinguished Noto for some years, chosen as a “home” by artists and creatives from all over the world.

After classical studies and the Academy of Fine Arts Abadir, his passion for design and decorative arts, especially of the twentieth century, led him to open a gallery in Catania, without ever abandoning his love for painting and ancient Sicilian manufacturing techniques. In 2011 he resumed painting and the hand of fate took him to Noto, where he visited the spaces of the former refectory of the Cistercian Monastery adjacent to the Church of Santa Maria dell’Arco.

I fell in love with Noto and the suggestions it gives: the blue sky, its white stone and the energy it emanates are found in all my works.

(Sergio Fiorentino, artist)

Under the old plaster, he finds traces of carmine and cobalt, precisely the distinctive palette of his stylistic code, the “sign” that leads him to start the renovation of the premises, with the help of architect Massimo Carnemolla, and to move there permanently in 2012. From there, a journey of ever-increasing success begins, between permanent exhibitions, such as the one at the Museo Macs and Fondazione La Verde La Malfa in his hometown, or The Bank Contemporary Art Collection in Bassano del Grappa, art shows in Italy and abroad, and important collaborations such as the one with Maserati.

Sergio Fiorentino loves the Ancient, and like all those who are truly inspired by it, he thinks and creates “for eternity”. Thus his works, especially the Volti series (the most famous, his highly sought-after portraits were also chosen for the recent American series The White Lotus), recall the archetype of classical beauty, filtered through his personal dream vision.

Few colors: angelic and spiritual blue, which is the basis of all his works, carnal red, Van Dyck brown and white. Large canvases made with oil paint and acrylic paint for the background, distinguished by iconic “scratches”, a sort of lively and enveloping texture that “protects” them from the world.

In addition to paintings, Sergio also dedicates himself to the creation of limited edition sculpture furniture which he creates with noble materials such as brass, silver, and precious inserts of coral or lapis lazuli, inspired by the ancient Sicilian decorative arts and by the automatons of the eighteenth century, which have become popular with the development of watchmaking. Thus his objects, such as the stupendous cabinets, hide mechanisms that reveal secret drawers by moving the right needle, the arrows of the San Sebastiano, or by pressing the lapis lazuli eye of the bronze head.

In his atelier, a work of art among works of art, also stands out his personal collection of Sicilian Moorish heads and anthropomorphic vases, some very rare from the 1600s, which the artist continues to enrich through continuous research.

And, his latest commitment, Fiorentino has just debuted with his first book, “Aqua e Oro”, published by Giusto Libri with the splendid images and creative direction of the photographer Rosita Gia.

The Secret

In the large open space, you can see dozens of wooden and brass balls descending from the ceiling, small pendulums that Sergio loves to move altogether to relax and attract positive energy.

Useful Info

Sergio Fiorentino
Via Speciale Vicerè 11
96017 Noto, Siracusa
Tel. +39 333 9503039

The Atelier opens by reservation, by appointment with the artist