With a background in architecture and a fascination for vivid surfaces, this “digital painter” has mastered the art of distortion.

Italian-born Gioele Amaro is a renowned contemporary artist who has successfully melded different mediums of art to deliver his one-of-a-kind abstract pieces. Taking inspiration from his love of Paris while keeping his Italian roots in mind, the 37-year-old has successfully redefined the concept of “painting” with his merging of physical subjects with the virtual world.

Amaro’s artwork often explores the complexity of forms and shapes while showcasing his mastery of colour theory. Incorporating the use of rich materials and innovative surfaces, this self-described “digital painter” aims to emphasise the distortion of reality with his work. With a portfolio that includes numerous solo and group exhibitions in Europe and China, Gioele chats about his artistic journey, what inspires him and how art is shaped by digital innovation.

Image courtesy of Valentino

An architect by training, you have worked with Jean Nouvel, a revered and multi-award-winning French architect for three years before turning to digital painting. Tell us how this creative journey began.
Every single aspect of the architectural process is almost always digital, so moving from handmade sketches or paintings to digital ones was a smooth and gradual move. Architecture was the best way for the emancipation of the digital world without any remaining doubt.

Clue us in on your close collaboration with Italian artist and filmmaker Francesco Vezzoli.
I always admired the way he was able to be conceptual, figurative, nostalgic, and empathic at the same time. Some of the processes that bring the works of Francesco to their final results were really inspiring because you can feel this love and passion for the development of a concept and how to face it.

As an Italian who fell in love with Paris, what artistic qualities do you find in Paris?
Like all the big cultural cities in the world, it allows you to be who you want to be and follow your dream with a very big chance to fulfill it if you give it your all. Things happen in Paris because there is a genuine creative energy that is neverending.

Gioele Amaro, “MANY MOONEY MONEY”, 2023, Ink and varnish on canvas, 120 x 97cm

I heard that you recently had a collaboration with Valentino, and your artwork was on a billboard at Avenue de L’Opéra. What was that collaboration like?
I only had a positive experience with the team. I am always fascinated by how people who work for a large brand and have such a personal and precise idea of what they like, give you unconditional freedom to express your vision completely free from schemes and expectations. From this, you realise how they believe in the power of creativity and expression even before commercial rules. The real gift for an artist is to feel safe to experiment without any kind of limitation.

You have rapidly evolved from traditional media such as painting, photography, and drawings to computers, graphic tablets, and digital brushes. This is the epitome of a versatile digital artist, right?
Every real artist follows his own intuition related to his own historical period and context. I feel I am going in the right direction if I try a new trajectory not yet completely known. For me, this is only a way that represent my values and my beliefs — other visions need a different approach. The quality is not only in the medium you express yourself in but in what you want to say and why.

Image courtesy of Valentino

What is your first approach to your work and how would you describe your practice?
It is a never-ending process that can start when you are busy doing other things or when you are waiting for your train — the idea is the most exciting thing. Then comes the realisation and the joy of seeing your intuition taking a form or collapsing and having to face the reality of the situation. Sometimes you see the potential of some ideas only while you are in the midst of making them.

Where does the inspiration for your work come from?
I will never find an answer to this question. Inspiration for me is not something related to the context or the situation, it is more a state of mind open to suggestions, dreams, to visions, and exciting thoughts that could happen in a negative or positive situation. Of course, movies, books, the virtual and reality are the proverbial “churches” and “factories” for suggestions.

Image courtesy of Valentino

What emotions do you hope to evoke in the viewers when they look at your art?
I don’t like to think about it because it would make the process be influenced or distracted by the viewer’s judgment but it is often unconsciously oriented to the desire of giving a new key to see things. Disorientating is rewarding.

In your case, is creating a new painting a solitary process?
I need to give time and space for the new idea to grow in my head and be powered by emotions and feelings that could also be calming from their external identity.

The six words that describe best your art?
Coloured tiles that bare the soul.

You mentioned several times that you wish to explore the infinite possibilities of digital innovation. Are there still some limitations that you encounter on a daily basis?
Breathing is literally “oxidising” your body. Stairs are remainders that we cannot fly. The limit is both a challenge and a satisfaction, like going to a new level in Super Mario Bros.

What should art lovers and collectors expect from you at ART SG 2024 at the HdM Art Gallery booth?
Fairs really change the way people approach and access contemporary art. Thousands of people discover your works even if surrounded by billions of different approaches and sensibilities. Being present in a crowded place is the first step to perceiving people’s feelings and about your work, be it in a positive or negative way. It is always important to understand what you are doing. I discovered a lot about myself listening to people’s thoughts, being self-centred is often an easy trap for an artist — I don’t pretend to create feelings or emotions but I will love for some in the other way. Originality and talent are not something that we should look for but mostly the way the work of an artist could fit and investigate with our fears and desires to create a pointing start for fertile reflections.

Any artist who has inspired you on the contemporary art scene lately?
This may be a little taboo because for some, I like their personality, some the technique, others the form, and giving a list may associate them to me but for the wrong reasons. I usually like it when there’s a sense of humour and irony inside a piece and I like understated works.

As an artist, what is your take on the contemporary art system?
I think the world and people are moving too fast now to have a unique static point of view. Opinions and facts are changing daily, the difference is the ability to anticipate the future. NFTs, fairs, digital art, numbers, scandals, tastes, politics, beauty, AI; the elements are too unstable to make a clear point. I like the idea that an “unknown” artist can be discovered easily with Instagram and have a platform to express themselves even without the support of a gallery.

What is the role that an artist plays in the society?
Underline hypotheses.

What is the most rewarding part of working as an artist?
The very long interviews.

All images courtesy of HdM GALLERY and Gioele Amaro unless otherwise stated.

Find Gioele Amaro and HdM GALLERY on Instagram. HdM GALLERY’s booth number at ART SG is FC30. This story first appeared on LUXUO. Click here to catch up with our December/January 2024 issue once you are done with this story.