How One Tampa Artist Brings Classical Italian Art Into the 21st Century
Credits: Alex Righetto
By Tampa Bay Living Magazine staff
Alex Righetto is an Italian artist currently based in Tampa, known for his unique artistic style characterized by vibrant colors, dynamic brushwork and bold compositions. His artwork draws inspiration from his Italian heritage, with each piece representing a chapter of a larger narrative that blends elements of Italian and European history in a contemporary context. In an exclusive interview, Alex sat down with Tampa Bay Living Magazine to share how he began his career in art, where he draws his inspiration for his paintings and how he has transformed as an artist throughout his career.
Tampa Bay Living Magazine: Can you tell us a little about your artistic background and what initially drew you to the arts?
Alex Righetto: I grew up in Italy, specifically in Verona, where I attended the Academy of Fine Arts. The artistic and cultural environment in my country has a strong classical connotation, with many influences ranging from the Roman period to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. This vast artistic heritage is a shame for an Italian artist not knowing their history and past.
Many of the events that have changed the world and discoveries that have revolutionized modern life have originated from an extraordinary Italy with such a complex social fabric. It is unsurprising that it is easy for individuals with even a minimum of sensitivity to desire to pursue an artistic path. And that is exactly what happened to me. The highly artistic environment influenced me and magically planted seeds that have now borne fruit.
Tampa Bay Living Magazine: What prompted you to establish yourself as an artist in Tampa? Are there any unique aspects of the local art scene that have influenced your work?
Alex: In 2018, I found myself in London after emigrating from Italy. The situation soon began to deteriorate due to the increasingly frequent news of an imminent pandemic. Discussing our options with my partner, we identified Florida as a safe place where we could continue our activities, in a milder climate compared to other states and nations.
In 2019, we temporarily relocated to Tampa Bay. Subsequently, I started building relationships with different people in a truly positive economic climate. In 2022, I became the permanent artist at a brand-new design center called Priano, which is a $10 million building that houses a large number of designers in the area. Tampa has a unique taste and a dynamic atmosphere that blends Spanish culture with typical American culture. I adore the local culture's murals and the pop-style artists here can create.
Tampa Bay Living Magazine: What are some of the major influences on your work, and how do you incorporate them into your artwork?
Alex: As previously mentioned, and to be honest, it seems almost a constant, one absorbs part of the environment in which they live. It is extremely important for everyone, but especially for children to go and see museums, travel abroad and visit different cities and cultures. No history lesson can replace the sight of the Colosseum or St. Peter's Basilica.
Traveling costs money, but people actually spend money on what they truly desire. Being a legal alien in the United States, I am very careful not to appropriate the culture of others. I am not American; I am not Mexican. Some aspects of these countries' cultures will never be a part of my identity, and I accept that.
I am Italian, and as an artist, I try to identify my paradigms within my own culture, recognizing my roots and attempting to add my own part of history to my work. And speaking of Italy, perhaps not everyone realizes that the modern era as we live it today was sparked by the work of a handful of geniuses during the Renaissance. One of the greatest cultural revolutions, through science, theater, astronomy, anatomy and printing. Man acknowledges his independence from the figure of God and accepts the relationship but is not a victim, as in the Middle Ages. It was an extremely interesting cultural period that freed the world from the slavery of ignorance and the Middle Ages.
The Renaissance and the artists of that time are often the subject of investigation in my work. For example, my first collection of works presented in the United States was a reworking and adaptation of the story of ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ In each of my works, I try to create or include content that enhances an idea, or a change. In my research on the subject, I became intrigued to discover that Lisa del Giocondo (the subject of the painting) had a stillborn daughter. I began to explore the idea of representing the daughter if she were still alive. What expression would she have? This gave rise to a painting that is like a still life, a sort of memento mori - the emblem of human transience. A symbol of life and death, represented by the expressive technique that shows extremely vivid features of the daughter, such as the face, and others where she is clearly a corpse; a yin and yang, a dichotomy of elements that characterize life: light and dark, good and evil, life and death…
I have also explored the techniques used for the Mona Lisa, but instead of copying them, I have reinterpreted them. It is well known that the Mona Lisa has two different perspectives, the left and right sides. The gaze of the daughter shows vitality and three-dimensionality following the application of the same concept.
The painting is not for sale. In fact, I declined an offer of $60,000 after the exhibition in New York, subsequently an offer of $100,000 after the solo show in Miami, and more recently, a considerable sum of $400,000. I would have never thought of turning down such a large offer. But I am not ready to let go of that painting.
Tampa Bay Living Magazine: How would you describe your artistic style? Is there a specific message or theme that you try to convey through your art?
Alex: My artistic style is clearly classical. I love incorporating abstract and expressive elements into realistic paintings. Some people raise their eyebrows, and more than one has responded in the past: ‘I don't hang strangers' faces in my house.’
Painting is an art, just like music and cinema. Saying that one doesn't want to hang other people's figures in their home is like saying they don't want to listen to a love song because it doesn't explicitly talk about the homeowners. Or they don't want to see movies at the cinema because the story represents other people. It demonstrates an inability to adapt mentally, which is instead immediate in music or cinema.
A painting is a story encapsulated in a fragment. It's an idea, and like all ideas, it has the capacity and power to change the world. My work is to move and make people reflect by creating paintings and artistic products that aim to inspire and change the slice of the world to which I belong, leaving an indelible mark if possible during my journey. I believe being an artist is a mission that not everyone can accept. God has given artists the tools to communicate and touch people's hearts even if only for a second. It is up to them to use this tool and cultivate their talent to inspire true change. We would all be crazy if we said that everything is fine, and there is nothing to change, and that everything we see around us is beautiful.
It is up to the artist to challenge the dogmas of society in order to change them, and reframe the future from a new perspective. Does it sound like too much? Just look at how much power celebrities have in shaping public opinion nowadays. Look at how a handful of brilliant artists changed the future of humanity by creating the Renaissance and steering the world toward the modern era.
Credits: Alex Righetto
Tampa Bay Living Magazine: Can you elaborate on the creative process you go through when working on a new project or piece? How do you decide on the concept and bring it to life?
Alex: My creative process stems from the research and cataloging of images. I've been collecting images from the internet since 2002 (Yes, I am a geek deep inside.) Today, it's easier with services like Pinterest and Instagram. In the past, I used to save the images on a hard drive (which I still own by the way). My creative process begins with an idea or a series of ideas. I try to put myself in the viewer's shoes, and since I dislike art without any message, I always strive to incorporate one in each painting. In a world where attention is a scarce commodity, and considering that online, the average attention span is only a few seconds, I feel privileged to be able to create a connection with people. Through events, people can dedicate even an hour of [their] attention to me. So, I consider it a waste to have the opportunity to communicate and not do it. It's a significant waste. I usually work on something that interests me, or is important to me outside the world of art as well.
Credits: Alex Righetto
Tampa Bay Living Magazine: Have you faced any challenges or obstacles throughout your artistic journey? How have you overcome them?
Alex: I believe that every challenge can bring at least something positive. But before delving into this concept, I would like to talk about another one. Not all people are good in this world. The majority are, but not all. Most of us want the good for each other, but not everyone. A handful of people make an effort to make the world worse due to a desire for domination. Given that art is such a powerful channel that captures people's attention, these negative entities see art as an excellent means to pursue their short-sighted intentions. This is why [the] USSR, Hitler and Mussolini used cinema as a propaganda tool.
In my opinion, this is why a large number of these individuals are grouped in the field of art. It has nothing to do with nation, state or race. They are not specific to men or women. I want to draw attention to a crime committed every day in the world. And it is a thought so deeply ingrained in society that it seems impossible to dissolve.
‘Everyone knows that being an artist doesn't pay the bills;’ ‘Anyone can be an artist as long as the rent is not due.’ Have you ever heard these phrases? Who has the authority to establish this truth? Among all the problems that exist, being an artist is not one of them. These personalities try in every way to discourage artists from being artists, starting with schools, where artists and professionals are formed. At the root of this issue, there are failed artists in their profession who, in order to remain within the artistic field, decide to accept a 9-5 job, sacrificing personal freedom for stability. Imagine a teacher who, unable to be a full-time artist, teaches young minds every day: What could they suggest to students expressing the intention of becoming full-time artists? What artists suffer from is not technical ability or money problems, but the inability to treat their activity in a businesslike manner.
Being an artist means being an entrepreneur, producer and distributor all at once. Making a living as an artist is partly delivering an excellent product and service, and partly being a marketer and seller. I attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Italy and took many courses. Unfortunately, after some failures, I immediately gave up on my career and started working as an office employee for several years.
Finally, after several years, and having consolidated my experience as an entrepreneur, I decided to take a big step. And in 2021, I became a full-time artist, living solely from my art.
The first painting was sold for $6000, and recently, I sold another one for just under $40,000. This is the best example I have given myself of how wrong or perhaps too generic the thought that one cannot make a living as an artist was.
Being an artist was so buried within me that not even my partner knew about my past. I had shelved it all with the idea that making art was a pie in the sky. I managed to overcome this obstacle, realizing that at 40, I was unsatisfied despite having an excellent job. One day, almost by chance, I did a portrait, and we were both so amazed by the result that we decided to make a big turn in my life together. This extremely challenging step was added to changing countries, emigrating and learning English as a new language. This is where every challenge presents something positive.
Tampa Bay Living Magazine: What role do you believe artists play in society, and how do you see your own work contributing to the cultural landscape of Tampa?
Alex: I am extremely pleased with this question because it aligns perfectly with what has been communicated so far. I share JFK's [ John F. Kennedy’s] thought that the artist has the role of gradually restoring the basic truth of human nature.
A vital role that challenges the status quo of many people. A true artist works for this: the true motivation of art is the use of aesthetics and ethics to identify and contribute to defining society.
I recently spoke about this in an episode of my podcast, ‘Alex Righetto Art,’ which can be listened to on Spotify or Apple. The enormous problem we are facing is that social media does not allow any challenge to the status quo. It is too easy to silence a person nowadays by banning or limiting their reach. This shows which group of people controls the mass media. Tampa is a fast-growing city, thanks to recent immigration from other states. Art can make a difference if Tampa knows how to protect artists, giving them space and support for their right to communicate.
Tampa Bay Living Magazine: Are there any specific projects or collaborations that you've been particularly proud of? What made them special?
Alex: From April 23 to 29, my artwork titled 'Mona Lisa's Daughter' adorned two colossal screens in Times Square, one of them stretching a remarkable 100 feet long, marking one of the most significant moments of my career thus far.
Credits: Alex Righetto
Who is Mona Lisa's Daughter?
If you know my name, chances are you've already come across images of this painting. To be honest, I'm utterly captivated by this piece; it's probably one of the finest artworks I've ever produced. Everything about it enthralls me: the dimensions, the technique employed, the color palette, the backstory and the final outcome. In 2023, I brought forth ‘Mona Lisa's Daughter,’ a fictional character borne from my profound admiration for the Renaissance era and my desire to pay homage to my homeland.
Undoubtedly, if you were to ask around, most people would agree that the Mona Lisa is arguably the world's most renowned painting. Over time, it has attained an iconic celebrity status. Recent research has unveiled fascinating details about the creation of the artwork and the woman portrayed within it: Lisa del Giocondo. Did you know, for instance, that there are actually two Mona Lisas painted 30 years apart?
My painting is an imaginative exploration based on the concept that Lisa del Giocondo lost her baby daughter at birth. I aspired to create a statement piece that captures the fragility, strength and opposing forces governing our world. ‘Mona Lisa's Daughter’ symbolizes the Yin and Yang, representing beauty and decay and life and death. The moment I first revealed this painting to some friends, I quickly realized it carried a powerful message. Their reactions inspired me to exhibit it even further. Since then, ‘Mona Lisa's Daughter’ has been featured in ‘Vogue Magazine’ and now graces a massive digital billboard in Times Square.
Credits: Alex Righetto
My team and I were determined to make this painting just as famous as the original one. We aimed to honor Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece without merely duplicating it, while simultaneously creating something new and refreshing. This isn't the first time I've drawn inspiration from past works. My first collection, 'Romeo and Juliet,' is an interpretation of Shakespeare's play, and 'The David,' a triptych, were both showcased during Art Basel Miami.
Key concepts behind this painting involve conveying the idea of opposing yet interconnected forces in life, which is a core concept rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy. Following this concept, a woman, like Mona Lisa, may ‘live’ forever, but her daughter won't. To represent this paradox, some sections of the painting are well-defined, while others are intentionally left gray and unrefined.
‘Mona Lisa's Daughter’ is destined to travel the globe and appear in some of the most renowned magazines worldwide. That's precisely why it found its place on two billboards in Times Square. The artwork will soon head to Miami for a solo exhibition and will grace London this summer. There are plenty more surprises in store for this captivating piece.
To stay updated and follow this incredible journey, I've even created an Instagram page dedicated to ‘Mona Lisa's Daughter.’ Additionally, we're releasing a limited number of prints to celebrate her.
To conclude, the extraordinary voyage of ‘Mona Lisa's Daughter,’ from its creation to gracing billboards in Times Square, has been nothing short of remarkable. As the painting continues to travel the world, garnering recognition and appreciation, it stands as a testament to the power of art and perseverance. Be sure to follow her Instagram page to stay updated on her adventures, and don't miss the opportunity to own a piece of this captivating story through the limited edition prints. The legacy of ‘Mona Lisa's Daughter’ is just beginning, and I couldn't be more excited to see where this artistic journey takes us.
Tampa Bay Living Magazine: How have you adapted or evolved as an artist over time? Are there any significant changes in your approach or style that you've noticed?
Alex: To sell may be more important than to paint. that is the most important lesson I have learned. The art industry has practically become a monopoly of a few companies because artists don't sell; they rely on galleries, which, in turn, were born more from an artistic impulse than a commercial one.
But here comes another poison that corrodes artists. ‘Everyone knows that an artist shouldn't be commercial,’ right? Commercial means banal, doesn't it? Well, it is through the idea that one must exchange their own paintings for money to survive. So, to tell the truth, an artist must ethically commercialize, following their instincts and proposing things that are important to them beyond mere money. Another piece of information that surely destroys emerging artists. Artists have to deal with a lot of false ideas that prevent them from doing a serene and honest job — a job that is the bread of the soul for men who still have a spirit.
If these words seem bold, I invite you to read ‘Concerning the Spiritual in Art’ by Kandinsky. It can easily be found on the internet. This is a field for literati and culture lovers because art has to do with the inner self of each one of us. I do not listen to other people's advice. I armor myself and do not follow the ‘experts’ in the field. If the industry is in such conditions, it means that the experts have not been able to do their job. Knowing how to sell directly is the perfect antidote against other people's opinions and criminals who swarm in the art world.
Tampa Bay Living Magazine: Are there any upcoming exhibitions or shows where people can view your artwork? Any future projects you're particularly excited about?
Alex: I have just finished my first solo exhibition in Miami. It was a truly amazing experience, and I thank The House of Arts for their trust in my work. Next, in September, I will be part of a group exhibition in San Remo, Italy, an exclusive location near Monaco and Cannes. In Tampa, people can always visit my works in the permanent exhibition at Priano. My biggest dream is to exhibit ‘Mona Lisa's Daughter’ at the Louvre in Paris. That would be fantastic.
Credits: Alex Righetto