Tommaso Fattovich and his Abstract World
Fattovich’s skillful use of powerful brush strokes and bright colors beautifully exposes artist’s admiration for extreme juxtapositions. His creative energy and expressive abstractions are undoubtedly generated from within.
INTERVIEW WITH TOMMASO FATTOVICH
Artist TOMMASO FATTOVICH
from artist’s archives
Tommaso Fattovich describes his early life in Milan, Italy, as his first significant education in the fine arts. His family moved to the US when Fattovich was in his teens. He continues to draw inspiration from both places, as well as the deep contrasts between them. A self-taught painter, and a self-defined abstract punk, he has always valued self determinism above all else, and spends his studio time alienating himself from the pull of the outside world in order to create from the most authentic inner source. Fattovich’s powerful compositions, eloquent and raw in their palette and gesture, draw the viewer into sense the often overlooked, and at times overwhelming, energy all around them in the world. The vast art landscape created by a burgeoning Wynwood Art District in Miami became the backdrop to Fattovich’s first fine art exhibitions beginning in 2010. His work has since been included inexhibitions in Miami, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boca Raton, East Hampton,as well as his first solo show in New York at CJ One Gallery in 2021. The artist currently lives and works in Boca Raton, FL.
LES COULEURS: What is your dream project?
TOMMASO FATTOVICH: My dream project would be to organize a group show with my favorite living artists: Sebastian Helling, Taylor Anton White, Jorge Galindo, William Quigley, Angela China, Gregory Coates, Harif Guzman, Jenny Brosinski, Richie Culver, Marcus Antonius Jansen and Bel Fullana. Each one of these artists really brings out a unique perspective and energy which invite reflection and conversation.
Artwork by Tommaso Fattovich
From artist’s archives
LC: What’s your earliest memory of picking up a paintbrush?
TF: Coloring outside the lines – my earliest memory in elementary school when the art teacher specifically told us to color within the margins …what a rebel I was lol.
Artwork by Tommaso Fattovich
From artist’s archives
LC: What exhibitions are you working on or have you participated in?
TF: I’ve recently concluded my second solo show at the Bailey Contemporary Arts Center called “ABSTRACT PUNK”, in Pompano Beach, curated by wonderful Juliana Forero, Ph.D., founder of Nomad Art Projects – check out www.nomadartprojects.com for more exhibits. The vast art landscape created by a burgeoning Wynwood Art District in Miami became the backdrop to my first fine art exhibitions beginning in 2010. My work has since been included in exhibitions in Miami, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boca Raton, East Hampton, as well as my first solo show in New York at CJ One Gallery in 2021. I currently live and work in Boca Raton, FL.
Artwork by Tommaso Fattovich
from artist’s archives
LC: What’s your background?
TF: I was born in Milano, Italy - growing up in Europe was my first significant education in the fine arts. My family moved to the US when I was 15 years old. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Communication and a Master of Science in International Business from Florida Atlantic University.
LC: Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.
TF: I could only wish to be compared to the 3 greatest in my opinion: Cy Twombly, Julian Schnabel and Franz Kline.
LC: If you could work within a past art movement, which would it be?
TF: I would have loved to work as part of the French New Wave - a French art film movement that emerged in the late 1950’s. The movement was characterized by its rejection of traditional film-making conventions in favor of experimentation and a spirit of iconoclasm. Yes, this is in regard to film, which is still one of my passions. I think I apply the spirit of this movement to my approach with painting – as a self-taught painter, and a self-defined abstract punk, I’ve always valued self determinism above all else, and spend my studio time alienating myself from the pull of the outside world in order to create from the most authentic inner source.
LC: What role does the artist have in society?
TF: Communicating, sharing and building bridges.
LC: Which artist of the past would you most like to meet?
TF: I think it would have been a unique experience to meet Salvador Dalí and have a surreal talk about films and food.
LC: How would you define beauty in 140 characters or less?
Beauty is an evolving concept, mirroring the time we live in – to me, when I paint and create something ugly and can still find the comfort and beauty of it – that’s beauty.
LC: What art do you most identify with?
TF: Abstract or anything out of left field that makes me stop and think – I gravitate towards the absurd, the clever, the chaotic and the minimalist – yes, one extreme to the other lol.
What is your favorite art gallery in Miami and why? My favorite art gallery in Miami is Blink Group Gallery, owned and run by the amazing Elizabeth Reyes (www.blinkgroup.net). She has been a strong voice and leader in the art world especially the Miami scene. She provides collectors with stunning works from artists she selects with passion and intelligence.
LC: Which writer or poet do you return to the most?
TF: Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde and Friedrich Nietzsche.
LC: Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your path as an artist?
TF: I remember a friend of mine showing me William Quigley’s artwork. It was eye opening – to this day he has been such a great inspiration and mentor. He has given me direction, advice on which materials to use while painting, how to properly market myself and has included me in the artist collective he runs with AB Gallery in East Hampton (www.abnygallery.com). I love how William unites people, artists and collectors and gets them excited about creativity and critical thinking – he’s an ocean of knowledge. I would like to be like that too one day. That’s what made me decide to follow the path as an artist.
LC: Professionally, what’s your goal?
TF: I think I am still learning and improving my skills – I feel like being an artist is a lifelong journey of discovery and experimentation. There really is no “finish line” in this field. Being an artist is about the final product – putting out quality timeless authentic works. I have built strong relationships with my galleries and collectors who are supporting me and inspiring me every day to keep moving forward while pushing the boundaries of what I can do next.
