Pietro Palamara
Biography
Pietro Palamara is a self-taught painter and sculptor based in Montreal, whose work reflects a profound appreciation for craftsmanship. From a young age, he found joy in working with his hands, influenced by his father, a tile setter, and his uncle, a carpenter. Today, he creates emotive gestural sculptures and whimsical paintings of soldered flowers. The painstaking process of individually painting and placing thousands of metal flowers results in an evocative and immersive experience for his audience.
After revisiting art seriously following the COVID pandemic, Pietro repurposes materials he encounters in his day-to-day life as a plumber. He reshapes copper piping, wires, and solder to express his feelings of awkwardness, his struggles with back issues, and his loving relationship with his daughter.
For Pietro, his sculptures serve as a means of storytelling and connection, inviting viewers to engage with his pieces in personal ways. His art acts as a vehicle for self-expression, allowing him to convey his struggles, relationships, and emotions while encouraging audiences to reflect on their own experiences.
Pietro’s works explore themes of duality and emotion; his flower paintings radiate joy and movement, while his sculptures delve into deeper narratives, addressing feelings of judgment, pride, and the human experience.
In the words of Pietro Palamara, "When you understand what’s going on in the sculpture, it becomes part of your story," highlighting the intimate and transformative nature of his art.