SPOTLIGHT: Andrea Collesano: Numinous in Nature: The Timeless Artistry of Andrea Collesano

In the realm of contemporary art, Andrea Collesano stands as a captivating figure who seamlessly weaves the threads of Old Master Drawing techniques and Magic Realism to create original artworks that celebrate the pervasive beauty of nature. Collesano's novel approach to art transcends temporal boundaries, transporting viewers to a world where reality and imagination converge harmoniously. This Master Drawings Artist Series aims to explore Collesano’s enigmatic artistry, shedding light on the means and manner of his craft, his thematic choices, and the reflective impact of his creations.

Collesano's journey as an artist is deeply rooted in the rich tradition of Old Master Drawing sensibilities, a skillset that has been honed over centuries by classical artists. Born in Pontedera, Italy and a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence, Collesano draws inspiration from the artistic legacy of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, infusing his work with a timeless quality. His obsessive, almost scientific attention to detail, his precision in-line work, and his mastery of minute realism pay homage to the canonical art of bygone eras.

Guided by luminaries such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Albrecht Dürer, Collesano employs traditional methods like cross-hatching, subtle chiaroscuro, and fine intricacy. Moreover, he adopts their ancient handmade processes by drawing on paper that he prepares himself.  He stains the fine, white Italian Fabriano linen with tea bags and other natural dyes and then ages it carefully over time, thereby imbuing the material with a soft, antiqued yellow hue.  This golden base is not uniform or flat; instead, it offers varying degrees of light and dark spots, unique characteristics which Collesano respectfully brings into his drawings. 

Such stains and effects obtained by this aging process create a palpable sense of depth and texture, inviting viewers to explore the nuanced layers of his compositions.  They also often become the starting point of the creation of his fauna (whales, squid, octopuses, turtles, elephants, rhinos, deer); his flora (trees, flowers, mushrooms, leaves); and his symbols (tiny Zodiac signs, celestial elements, numbers, letters, bees, caterpillars, hearts, keys).  Thus, his commitment to these techniques is not a mere homage to the past but rather a conscious decision to tap into the expressive power embedded within these time-honored methods.

Collesano's artistic vision finds expression in the realm of Magic Realism, a genre that shares a common thread of transcending reality while maintaining a rooted connection to the tangible world. Magic Realsim has been defined by Alfred H. Barr, Jr. as “a term sometimes applied to the work of painters who by means of an exact realistic technique try to make plausible and convincing their improbable, dreamlike, or fantastic visions” (From Paintings and Sculpture in the Museum of Modern Art, 1942).  It is limited to pictures of sharp focus and precise representation, whether the subject has been observed in the outer world (realism) or contrived by the imagination (magic realism).  As such, everyday scenes are infused with a touch of the fantastical, creating a reflective sense of wonder.  It delves into the realm of dreams and the subconscious, often portraying fantastical landscapes and bizarre juxtapositions. 

Masterfully navigating within this genre and seamlessly blending elements of the magical and the surreal to forge a unique artistic identity, Collesano’s artworks become portals to alternate dimensions where nature takes on a life of its own, challenging conventional perceptions and causing viewers to reconsider their relationship with the natural world.

At the heart of Collesano's artistic repertoire lies a profound sensitivity to nature. His works serve as visual hymns to the spiritual beauty found in the natural world, portraying animals or trees floating in landscapes that transcend the boundaries of reality. Influenced by the ancient, by the lost, and by old naturalistic engravings, he creates recurring symbols in his works:  two-tone chessboards, undefined horizons, constellations, and fragments of architectural elements in the shape of Greco-Roman ruins, pyramids, or abandoned lighthouses.  Despite these remains, there is no trace of human presence.  Nature takes center stage, suspended in time and space on the canvas. 

Collesano prods his viewers to reconnect with the awe-inspiring wonders of the Earth, urging them to see beyond the surface and embrace the magic woven into the fabric of existence. Each stroke of his India-ink brush becomes a testament to the intrinsic interconnectedness between humanity and the environment, fostering a sense of responsibility and appreciation for the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

As a proponent of environmental consciousness, Collesano's thematic emphasis on nature also contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding sustainability. By elevating the beauty of the natural world through his art, he advocates for a more comprehensive understanding of the fragile ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.

Serving as a bridge between the past and the present, Collesano’s art is a testament to the enduring power of artistic traditions in shaping the trajectory of contemporary creativity and to the timeless allure of nature. They are works of imagination and of metaphor and of totem.  Collesano's legacy lies not only in the visual splendor of his creations but also in the direct impact they have on the enduring potential of artistic traditions, on our perceptions of nature, and on the pressing environmental issues of our time.