Roots, Matter and Emotional Abstraction

I. Roots, Matter, and Return to Art

I am Roberto Catalano. Born in Milan on May 5, 1981, I live and work in Rho, a town on the outskirts of Milan.

My passion for art is rooted in my early years, a time spent in a boarding school on Lake Maggiore. It was there, caught between the long, silent afternoons of my soul and the incessant clamour of the other boys, that I found a deep connection with drawing and a strong drive for reflection. The echo of the valley that marked the changing seasons and these intensely lived moments shaped my perception. After a period of moving away, I have returned to this passion, finding in the canvas a place for authentic and necessary expression.

II. Emotional Abstraction and Philosophy

My research focuses on Emotional Abstraction: a philosophy that manifests itself through cycles of materic (textured) and non-materic works. The intent is to create Open Art where composition and texture do not dictate a fixed narrative, but instead invite the observer to a personal and unique interpretation.

III. Influences, Technique, and Commitment

My artistic journey is shaped by a mix of influences ranging from the immediacy of street art to more conceptual abstraction.

The gestural energy and the strength of the stylized mark that characterize my work are inspired by the great masters of Street Art. Simultaneously, my understanding of abstract structure, color, and composition has been refined through the study of Italian and international chromatic abstraction and the guidance of an artist professor active in the Lake Maggiore area.

The love for nature is another cornerstone: my materic works arise from observing natural cycles and the textures of the earth. I use acrylics, cement, and mixed materials to create sculptural reliefs that render each canvas a living surface, where the stylized mark meets the three-dimensionality of raw material.

Beyond studio research, my work has gained visibility through important local exhibition spaces. I have participated in several shows at multi-functional and cultural centers, which have been crucial moments for sharing Emotional Abstraction and initiating a direct dialogue with the public.