Marco Gallotta - Artist

Marco Gallotta

Marco Gallotta

Marco Gallotta is an Italian-born, New York City- based artist. Globally recognized for his artistic craft of paper-cutting techniques, drawing, painting, and printmaking, Marco finds inspiration in the city’s urban landscape, distinct artistic facets, and diverse population.

Gallotta’s clients and fans range from heritage brands and celebrities alike including Chanel, Nike, Vogue, Campari, Dolce and Gabbana, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of New York City, Radio City Music Hall, Academy Award winner Ennio Morricone, actor Will Smith, NBA player Gigi Datome, celebrity TV host Samantha Bee, Festival of Spoleto (Italy) and fashion entrepreneur Renzo Rosso.

Today, Marco resides with his wife and daughter in New York City, where he currently practices his craft in an intimate studio workshop in West Harlem. He applies his vast expertise in mixed media to his work, combining artisanship and graphic sensibility. Watercolors, inks, and graphite are applied to photographs that are then cut out. Layers of cut-out photographs, paper and other materials are strategically overlapped to create ingenious compositions.

Gallotta received his associate’s degree in fashion illustration and a bachelor’s degree in general illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Q&A

Texture and multi-dimensionality are central to Marco Gallotta’s unique and detailed artwork. As the world leans into short cuts in the process, Gallotta embraces a distinct handcrafted methodology resulting in a deep sense of authenticity and artist over. We are excited to share his work and for him to share his thoughts behind his work and what inspires him as an artist.

Can you please tell us about yourself and about your unique journey?

I was born and raised in Italy, and I now reside in New York City, where I work as an artist and I specialize in the unique skill of paper cutting.

When I chose to leave my city, I did it mainly because of a desire for adventure. I’ve always wanted to know new things, discover new places and experience cultures different from my own. New York, with its multi-ethnic and multicultural life, has undoubtedly been the place that has allowed me to enrich myself and has played a very important role in my career. When I arrived in New York, at the end of the ‘90s, I started to visit artists, mostly illustrators, and from there I discovered a new world. The energy was incredible, the art was everywhere and in different forms. It is here, that, after a short break, I started drawing again. My subjects were no longer the landscapes of Trentino and Veneto, where I had spent earlier years, but the chaos of the metropolis with all its souls running around fast.

I studied Fashion Illustration at the Fashion Institute of New York. I have always been fascinated by the human body and nature, which are often the focal point in my work.

Did you always want to be an artist?

With an art-lover father and dual jazz musician/painter uncle, it seems that creative inclinations were always in my blood. Growing up I spent a lot of time in museums, taking in various art exhibitions. I believe this exposure to art instilled in me a passion for the craft and the conviction that I too would one day create art.

What inspires you?

My major inspiration is the complex relationship between humans and nature. To me, humans and nature are a single entity. Man is nature and plays a part in everything on this earth in which he lives. My work does not try to imitate nature, but is often inspired by elements such as the wind, water and fire. New York is also a huge source

of inspiration. With its multicultural and multiethnic reality, New York is the ideal platform for my artistic expression worldwide, a rare place where the creativity of the vast cultural movements converge, creating synergies but also stimulating unique individual paths. The emotions I feel watching what happens every day, the people and inspir ing architecture, are reflected in my works.

Who inspires you?

Picasso, Warhol, Baquiat, Rothko, Monet, Schiele, Bacon and Bourgeois have always inspired my art.

What is a meaningful day to you?

I love to work in my studio. Whenever I finish a project or a piece it makes me feel complete. I also love to help people and especially young artists. I am part of a project composed of a group of professionals that help college students through a program of mentorship.

What three words that resonate and convey the essence of your work?

Craftsmanship. Depth. Original

Describe your creative process.

It starts with an image. It can be a photograph that I took, a photo from a magazine, or a collage I did. Then I add paint or ink, sometimes wax. I also create digital paintings or collages which I later print. The paper cutting is the final step. I carve the paper with a scalpel and will usually follow my inspiration and not a set of guidelines. All my cuts are often spontaneous and not planned in advance. I will go from 2 to 6 layers of paper for the final result, depending on the pieces. My works are often composed by multiple layers of cut-out paper that give a sculptural feeling to the artwork.

Tell us about your technique.

Papercutting is the art of cutting paper. My approach has been to transform an ancient technique, which has roots in the fourth century, and make it modern and above all my own and unique. My work, like in a surgical operation, is carved with a scalpel. The result is a superimposition of images that intersect and create interesting designs and negative spaces.

Describe your environment/studio.

I work in a very small and intimate studio in West Har lem near Columbia University. My studio is located in the same building where I live and I have to say that I have

the best commute. Although small in size, my studio is very functional and I am also able to work on large scale artworks.

Do you listen to music while you work and if so, what sparks your creativity?

Music is always on in my studio. I love all kinds of music, from hip-hop to classical music. It depends on my mood and on what’s on my Spotify shuffle. I also love playlists of 80’s and 90’s music. Creep by Radiohead is one of my favorite songs. I also love comedy and I often listen to stand-up.

Has your artwork changed over the years?

My art has continuously evolved and changed through the years.I have always loved to experiment and try different approaches for my art. I have used different medias over the years. From time to time I incorporate some of my old techniques in my new work like for example inks which I primarily used in my fashion draw ings early in my career.

Do you have a vision for your future? What’s on your wish list?

I would love to collaborate with big brands, especially in the fashion and movie industry

Tell us something about you that nobody knows.

I studied theatre when I was in high school. I studied under a great Italian actor and I did quite few shows before leaving to pursue my career as a ski instructor in the Italian Alps.

I hadn’t had any more acting experiences until a couple of years ago when two friends and I created a short movie in which I co-starred. The movie, to our great surprise, was selected by Campari for a special event at the Venice Film Festival. I flew to Venice with my daughter for the premiere and it was such an incredible feeling to see my work on a great screen in such an amazing place.

When you aren’t working, how do you spend your time?

I love to just have fun. I go to a lot of shows and events. I try to visit art galleries and museums as much as I can. I love to be around people. I also love the outdoors and I often go for hikes or long walks with my family. Skiing is definitely my favorite sport and I try to go as often as I can.

Who would you trade places with for a day?

I would love to be a movie director for a day. It would be my dream to be Martin Scorsese or Spike Lee or Wes Anderson for a day.

Who do you admire?

I admire people who achieve their goals and success without harming anyone and without loosing their integ

rity in the process. I admire people who dedicate some of their time to help others

What are you currently working on?

I am working on a personal project called “The Beautiful Stage” which is a series of large butterflies made of various recycled materials

What is your mantra?

Work hard but also live in the moment and enjoy life as it happens.

If there was one thing you would want people to understand and know about you, what would that be?

I love art in all its aspects. I am mostly known for my papercutting technique, but I want people to know that I am a mul tifaceted artist and that I am always looking for new creative outlets. I always strive to grow professionally and I love to challenge myself with new ideas without fear of failure.

“New York, with its multi-ethnic and multicultural life, has un doubtedly been the place that has allowed me to enrich my self and has played a very important role in my career”

Alicia Keys Portrait 2021

Will Smith Portrait 2014

Temporary Installation in Wall Street 2019

UNA PRODUZIONE ART FILM KAIROS

Looking for Negroni Artwork created of the movie “Looking 2020

Chanel

Project commissioned by Chanel to recreate a series of bottles for “Les Exclusifs” collection

2016

Mole Urbana Collaboration with Italian creator of the electric car 2020

Italian designer Umberto Palermo, car Mole Urbana

Albero della Aluminum sculpture Air campaign 2019

della vita sculpture created for the Red Passion On campaign by Campari

Sidewalk Diaries Collaboration with Italian photographer Claudio Napoli 2019

Marco Gallotta

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