Salvo Nero, when ego, romance, and emotions become works of art

Salvo Nero, a self-taught painter born in Palermo in 1984, initially drew inspiration from animated cartoons and the artists of his hometown. His creative journey began early in life, sparked by a passion for drawing that never left him. He pursued studies in graphic design and found an outlet for free expression through street art, painting on the walls of his city. His fascination with detail, heavily influenced by American comic artist Geof Darrow, became a defining trait of his work. Eventually, he moved beyond comics to explore watercolors, oils, and ultimately acrylics, which became his preferred medium. Sicilian Secrets sat down with him for an exclusive interview.

Q: How did your artistic journey begin?

A: I’m a self-taught painter, and my journey started when I was very young. By the time I was four, I was already painting imaginary worlds and characters from my favorite cartoons. Despite my passion for drawing and painting, my parents encouraged me to pursue graphic design in high school, influenced by the belief that being an artist meant financial struggle. Even though I didn’t enjoy it, I embraced graphic design as a way to continue drawing, completing assignments entirely by hand. Over time, I grew to appreciate and love it. As a teenager, I discovered being a tagger as a freer form of self-expression, painting on the walls of my city. After graduating, I worked as a freelance graphic designer for various agencies, all while continuing to study drawing and painting. At 27, I moved to Rome and worked for a marketing agency.

Q: Even in a creative field, you weren’t painting. What changed?

A: After seven months of not painting, I felt a deep need to return to it. I decided to work as a street artist, an experience that helped me overcome my shyness about painting in public and realize I wanted to turn my passion into a profession. Back in Palermo, I met Skip, a well-known figure in the city who became a dear friend. Painting his portrait earned me credibility and the chance to continue working as an artist in my hometown. As Steve Jobs once said, “You can only connect the dots looking backward.” If I hadn’t studied graphic design, I might not have developed the communication skills I now apply to my paintings.

Q: Until December 7th, your exhibition Ti l’Eggo is on display at Artètika in Palermo. What stories do your works tell?

A: I find beauty in everything, especially in things often overlooked, like a crumpled piece of paper or a spilled cup of coffee. I see beauty in the flaws of a face or a body because I believe perfection lies in imperfection, it’s what makes us unique. My works highlight what I find beautiful and soulful. They speak of love, loss, joy, anger, irony, and faith in dreams. In one word, they speak of life.

Q: Gallery owner Gigliola Beniamino Magistrelli describes you as “Versatile, a bit of a graphic designer, a bit of an advertiser, but mostly an artist who conveys his emotions with ease and reaches everyone”. How would you describe yourself? What drives your work?

A: I believe art should be accessible and understandable to everyone, not just a select few. It should unite people from all walks of life because art warms the soul and brings people closer. In my paintings, I strive to express simple, clear, and universal concepts that allow viewers to relate and feel. Some pieces might make you smile, while others evoke the melancholy of lost love. Gigliola’s words resonate with me; she’s captured my essence perfectly.

Q: You’ve been described as “Salvo Nero, the artist who turns narcissism into art”. What does it mean?

A: Through deep introspection, I realized I’ve had close encounters with people exhibiting narcissistic traits, especially one individual who left me shattered. I see myself as resilient, someone who rises after a fall. To cope, I began pouring my thoughts into a lined notebook, eventually illustrating over these writings with images that complemented the text. This gave birth to ‘Missive per l’Ego’, a deeply personal artistic project. Each weekend, I’d sit alone in a pub, sip a beer, and draw over my writings. It was magical, someone would always approach, curious, sparking new connections. This project, which includes works now on display in the gallery, helped me rise again through art and understand that I wasn’t the flawed one. If you feel all emotions deeply, it means everything within you is functioning well, unlike those who try to convince you otherwise.

Q: As a proud Palermo native, does being Sicilian influence your creativity?

A: Absolutely. Sicily is a deeply inspiring place, with its beauty often found in imperfection. Its people, capable of finding humor in everything, are a source of endless inspiration. Their kindness and compassion, especially toward those in need, is profoundly moving. Sicily embodies resilience and rebellion, a hymn to life, a poem of light piercing through the night. It tells the story of a people who endure, rise, and keep hope alive.

Q: Is there a particular place or mood in Palermo that inspires you?

A: The historic center is extraordinary for any artist, but my sanctuary is my studio in Sferracavallo, a Palermo suburb where I grew up. I especially love winter, when silence prevails. During breaks, I gaze at the sea from my window, it’s deeply comforting.

Q: Looking back, what milestones are you most proud of?

A: While I’ve participated in amateur exhibitions and worked mostly on commissions, I lacked the time to create personal pieces for galleries. The pandemic gave me that opportunity, allowing me to build a collection of paintings. My most significant achievement is my current milestone: my first solo exhibition in a professional gallery, supported by an incredible team.