The ANNOTICO Report

Scarabello,a renaissance man of sorts, says his work focuses on four aspects: cultural variety; the sense of belonging to a culture or country; political, social and economic marginalization; the power of the common man to create and change.

The Seminole Times
Sam Lewin 3/23/2005

The old saying is when in Rome do as the Romans do.

For fans of Italian artist Alessandro Scarabello, that would mean learning more about the Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma.

Scarabello employs a style known as “social realism,” and he travels the world in an effort learn more about other cultures. A renaissance man of sorts, Scarabello has visited and traveled to Somalia, Vietnam, China, Libya, Greece, Italy and the U.S.

His latest exhibit is called "LifeinLines” and features portraits and social settings from four continents. Scarabello is known in Rome as "An Artist of Four Continents,” and the LifeinLines exhibit contains striking portraits of Seminole Indians. Scarabello recently visited Oklahoma and worked with ! a tribal elder to learn more about Seminole culture.

Through the help of translator Jessica Carter, Scarabello told the Native Americans Times that the Seminoles inspire him.

“The American Indians are a clear example of unwavering pride. Despite their difficult historical path, they exhibit a strong sense of belonging and an undying presence that still symbolizes an ancient civilization. Most inspiring is the fact that the Native Americans are a political and social minority, yet worldwide, they exhibit a powerful spirit of survival and unity,” he said.

Scarabello’s oil on canvas paintings can be viewed at www.thegalleryapart.it. He says his work focuses on four aspects: cultural variety; the sense of belonging to a culture or country; political, social and economic marginalization; the power of the common man to create and change.

"My experiences traveling have made me understand the importance of diversity and the crucial role that diversity plays! in the world of today. We are under an attack of distorted cultural globalization. In my work, I try to push the spectator's eyes to a new cultural orientation... aiming for a more critical spirit for the future of diversity,” he said.

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