Benedetto Poma: colors, mythology and Sicilian identity on canvas

Benedetto PomaBenedetto Poma, born in 1968 in Catania, discovered his passion for painting at a very young age. He attended the State Institute of Art in Catania and received a degree in Architecture from the University of Reggio Calabria in 1999. Since 1981, he has participated in major national and international exhibitions. In 1999, he was received at the Vatican to present Pope John Paul II with the Sacred Icon of the Madonna dell’Aiuto. Sicilian Secrets interviewed him.

Q: You started painting at a young age, driven by an early love for art. How did your artistic training shape your creative journey?

A: Like many children, I was given tempera paints and brushes as a gift, and I spent endless hours drawing and coloring, it quickly became my favorite pastime. One of the things I loved most (though perhaps not as much for my mother!) was a little game I used to play. At just five or six years old, I would fill glasses with water and mix in tempera paint. Then, from the balcony, I would throw them onto blank sheets of cardboard that I had placed below. I was fascinated by the way the colors spread and blended on the surface.

Benedetto Poma
Artwork by Benedetto Poma

Q: Was there a defining moment in your career when you felt you had truly found your artistic voice?

A: One of my earliest and most vivid memories related to my love for painting is tied to a very specific moment: it’s etched in my mind as if it happened yesterday. One day, my parents left me home alone, and as I was painting, the power suddenly went out. I was surrounded by my paints and brushes, completely in the dark. When my parents returned, I asked them for a candle so I could continue painting. I stayed there, working by candlelight. That was ‘the moment’ of inspiration, where I felt completely immersed in my passion: just the darkness around me and the warm glow illuminating my art. Painting, for me, is an ongoing evolution of thoughts, shapes, dreams, and fragments of life, both past and present, translated onto canvas.

Q: Which artists, movements, or cultural influences have had the greatest impact on your work?

A: During my university years, I studied Morandi’s still lifes and was captivated by how light caresses his forms. Later, I explored the colors and lighting techniques of the Macchiaioli, followed by the expressive intensity of Egon Schiele, Kandinsky’s ‘Blue Rider’, and, in my later years, Chagall, whose use of color profoundly influenced my creative process.

Benedetto Poma

Q: Sicily is a recurring presence in Benedetto Poma’s work, both through historical and visual references. How does your homeland inspire and shape your artistic vision?

A: Sicily is embedded in my work in countless ways: from objects tied to traditional craftsmanship, like ceramic jars, chairs, and everyday household items, to architectural elements that have become a signature of my style. The island’s natural beauty holds a privileged place in my art, with its flora and fauna frequently appearing in my paintings. The Sicily of mythology and Magna Graecia is reflected in my collections ‘The Sirens of Ulysses’ and ‘Mediterranean Enchantment’. The Norman and Swabian periods are at the heart of my series ‘A Kingdom in the Sun’. And in my most recent collection, ‘The Happiness of Light’ (2024), Sicily emerges in all its richness, wonders, and contradictions. But if there’s one constant in my work, it’s something intangible, something that ‘illuminates’ both forms and colors: the light of my homeland!

Q: Is there a particular place on the island that holds special meaning for you as an artist?

A: The place I feel most deeply and ancestrally connected to is Mount Etna. I live near it, and I observe it every day. For me, it represents a powerful duality: on the inside, a welcoming force that holds fire and raw energy; on the outside, a fertile land where people, despite the volcano’s unpredictable nature, persist and endure. Etna embodies resilience, just as we Sicilians do.

Artwork by Benedetto Poma

Q: In 1999, you had the honor of presenting Pope John Paul II with the sacred icon of the Madonna dell’Aiuto. How did that experience impact you and your artistic vision?

A: Meeting Pope John Paul II remains one of the most emotional moments of my life. His grateful and welcoming gaze is something I will never forget.

Q: What is the perspective of Benedetto Poma on the evolution of contemporary art in Sicily? And what role do you see yourself playing in this artistic landscape?

A: Contemporary art, by its very nature, needs time. Today, there is a rush for visibility, especially on social media. But for me, artistic creation remains a free and deeply personal journey; a process of research, of exploring themes that must be examined and interpreted. I believe that mythology and history hold lessons that should not be forgotten. My work aims to communicate knowledge and universal values that must be preserved and passed on. Ultimately, time will tell who has truly contributed to the cultural and artistic legacy of our Sicily.

Artwork by Benedetto Poma

Q: Finally, looking ahead, what projects do you have in store for the future?

A: I will soon be opening a new Art Studio in Cefalù, which will allow me to be more active in western Sicily. This summer, I will also present an artistic installation at Agrigento 2025, Italian Capital of Culture. Additionally, I am working on a project in Palermo, though I can’t reveal the details just yet for organizational reasons.

Benedetto Poma has taken us on a journey through colors, Sicily, and light: the very light that turns art into magic. But our news does not end here. Sicilian Secrets always tells you about some new stories on this blog. And if you wish to stay updated about our news and read our next articles, follow us on Sicilian Secrets’ Facebook page and Instagram.
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