His words, ‘My hands touch the Earth’, evoke a deep sense of rootedness and belonging that permeates his art. But what does it mean to touch the earth? For Arcangelo, it means more than just physical contact; it means a communion with the life force that animates all things. The earth is not just a passive backdrop for human activity; it is a living entity that participates in our existence. By painting landscapes both inside and outside, above and below, Arcangelo seeks to capture this vitality and share it with us.

In this body of work, we see how this connection to the earth informs every aspect of Arcangelo’s work. His paintings are not just representations of the natural world; they are embodiments of it. Through his use of colour, texture, and form, he brings the earth to life on his canvases.

We can almost feel the heat of the sun, the rustling of leaves, and the coolness of water.

But Arcangelo’s art is not just about the beauty of nature; it is also about the struggle for survival which is an essential part of life. His paintings are populated with figures who are engaged in the work of living: harvesting crops, tending animals, and carrying water. These are not idyllic scenes of rural life; they are gritty and real, full of sweat and toil.

And yet, despite the hardships, there is a sense of joy and celebration in Arcangelo’s work. His paintings are suffused with a sense of the sacred, a reverence for the cycles of life and death that play out on the land. His encounters with his people the Samnites, the Masai of Kenya, the Ségou of Mali, and the Lebanese people are all part of his narrative, they are not passive objects of his gaze; they are active participants in the drama of existence. Through their faces, their stories, and their memories, they remind us of our own connection to the earth, and of the beauty and fragility of life.

In the end, this exhibition is not just a collection of paintings; it is a way of seeing and being in the world. Through Arcangelo’s art, we are invited to touch the earth with our own hands, to feel its pulse, and to experience its power. We are reminded that we are not separate from nature, but a part of it, and that our destiny is bound up with its fate.