Sculptor
A great part is left to the material, its beauty and its characteristics. In the works of the sculptor Graziano Pompili, materials represent themselves. “It is the material that is chosen that helps the artist to express a concept and translate an idea. Every human being that produces and transforms raw materials into objects with a function needs a support to accompany him and make the project possible. The material serves not only as a support, it participates in what you want to communicate”. Pompili has been working with stone since the late Seventies: he was passionate about this material even before learning to know it, remove its parts, empty it. “After years of work, I never have any hesitation or doubt regarding the choice of material. As with every idea in my mind, I am clear about which stone and which piece I will be using”.
There are many materials that he uses, from white marble to Bardigli, from Portoro to Belgian Black, and many other spotted, streaked, or veined varieties. “To love stone you need to know its history: sometimes African granite can be confused with the
Swedish variety, because millions of years ago they shared a common history. This makes them similar, but never identical. Stone has a smell: when you work it, break it or empty it, you realize its ancient history and smell its soul”.
Every stone has a recognisable physiognomy and a character which you get to know as you work it. “There is great pleasure to be had in working this material: for example, granite is worked with a special technique that wears away its surface. Slowly, gradually, you get to the form that you had imagined. Or when I have to split a block of marble, I consider each part to be sacred as it is a part of the same material”. The very material represents itself, as if it were sufficient in and of itself: the work of an artist or craftsman is a magnificent complement. “Even using less pure parts is a demonstration of how much you grow to love this material: the marks, veins, and internal strands are testimony to the ancient history of this material; they become marvellous features which enhance its beauty”.
