LORENZO BRINATI

Brinati’s works stem from a rich understanding of the materials he uses and the traditions connected to these. This series, named for the ancient Etruscan civilisation originally formed in the Tuscan countryside the artist inhabits, alludes to an ancient system of knowledge finding connection between the elements, celestial bodies and human life and memory through the energies and frequencies all of these aspects emit. This connection to the deep rooted history of the environment he works in is felt in all his artworks, through their exploration of texture, terrain and colour, but also in his titles referencing ancient mythologies and characters.

As a sculptor, his style derives from an attention to nature and the harmony and rhythm in the architecture of his home while simultaneously looking east, drawing inspiration from his travels as a sailor in Greece and Turkey. This practice began at the age of fourteen as the artist began sculpting stones from the street into faces, alluding to those of Modigliani.

His sculptures now retain these references, although now applied in marble, onyx and alabaster. Craftsmanship is at the centre of his practice as a sculptor and painter; his works fully explore material and texture using plaster, pigment, lime and even rain applied to the canvas with his hands. Referencing the vivid strength of the works of the Old Masters and the rich environment he grew up in, Brinati searches for completeness, purity and hidden luminosity in his works. His unique goal is to return to the primordiality of emotions in his work fully satiating the senses.

Growing up between council houses and the workshops of Oltrarno, Brinati was able to experience the last remnants of Renaissance Florence. Now working in both Florence and the Tuscan countryside, Brinati combines this education with more than two decades working as a conservator and restorer in the traditional workshops he had grown up around. His paintings transform the skills of traditional Renaissance craftsmanship into a modern and yet timeless language, combining ancient techniques with new materials.