Pietro Montante: art as language, life as constant exploration
Pietro Montante, an artistic soul in constant motion, was born in San Cataldo, but it is the world that has shaped his perspective. Raised among family influences and the memories preserved in the works of his maternal uncle, Montante approached painting and sculpture at a very young age, disciplines that would become the hallmark of his personal expression. From the Pistoia Apennines to Florence, passing through Rome, Germany, and the Netherlands, his creative journey has been enriched by experiences and influences, without ever losing the deep bond with his Sicilian roots. Today, he lives and works between San Cataldo and Contrada Grottarossa, in the heart of Caltanissetta, while his works – many of which are catalogued – are part of private collections in Italy and abroad and often featured in charity auctions. In this interview with Sicilian Secrets, he shares the path, the places, and the inspiration that fuel his art.
Q: Let’s start from the beginning: what was your artistic training like? Were there any mentors or decisive experiences along your journey?
A: I started painting in 1982 by copying some works of my uncle, Angelo Saetta. In the years before that, I dedicated myself to poetry, but over time I developed the idea of putting my emotions onto canvas, and so I began studying art history and philosophy. I travelled all over Europe, but in 1986 I decided to settle in the Netherlands, where I attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Groningen. From there, my professional career began with exhibitions in London, the Netherlands, Germany, and Hungary.
Q: The pictorial style of Pietro Montante has a strong visual identity: how has it evolved over time, and which movements or artists have most inspired you?
A: The artists who initially inspired me are deeply connected to Mediterranean cultures. There are also prehistoric cave paintings, and of course Picasso, who – especially in the 1990s -strongly influenced my style. Particularly significant were the years when Picasso studied African art, which is a recurring theme in my painting. I’m also fascinated by Modigliani’s world. Over time, my art evolved from classical academic studies to a personalized style that embraces a lyrical-abstract figurative approach.
Q: Your work often features intense images and symbols: which subjects do you love to represent, and what draws you to them?
A: The subjects in my works change based on the emotions I perceive and wish to convey to the public: today it could be a still life, tomorrow a landscape, or even social themes. A recurring figure in my paintings is the woman in all her various forms. If people ask me why, my answer always connects to the cult of Mother Earth, the cult of fertility tied to femininity and the land, which I am deeply connected to through my roots.
Q: Where do you draw inspiration from for your works, and how does one of your creations come to life?
A: Through what I express and create, I communicate my philosophy of life, with realistic or abstract tendencies, using any means, colors, and forms. An artist’s thoughts, ideas, and emotional states take shape through the unveiling of the depth of everything around them, channeled into an entirely personal vision of life.
Q: What is your relationship with your homeland, Sicily, and how is it reflected in your art?
A: The bond with Sicily is very strong and profound, both in the colours I use and in the fusion between nature and art that I’m experimenting with at the moment. When I speak of fusion, I mean the use of materials such as stone and wood. In painting, strong blues, ochres, and earthy tones prevail… Fascinated by Greek culture, my sculptures often incorporate materials such as alabaster and volcanic stone.
Q: Is there a particular work of art you feel especially connected to? If so, why?
A: I always start from the belief that art must live outside the artist’s studio, but of course, there are some works that mark important stages, at least one for each period, that I hold dear. I produce a great deal, and it’s a source of satisfaction to see my works exhibited elsewhere. I also believe that spreading my signature around is an important form of recognition.
Q: You’ve already had significant exhibitions and recognition: are there any current or future projects you’re working on that excite you in a special way?
A: My résumé includes national and international exhibitions, both group and solo shows, as well as reviews by art critics like Vittorio Sgarbi, Matteo Micello, Pasquale Solano, and others. Lately, I’ve been working in a studio in the city that’s open to the public. I’m mainly trying to connect with the public through tour operators for guided visits, including at my countryside studio where I’m creating a sculpture park, combining workshops and refreshments with local, zero-kilometre food products.
Q: Looking to the future, what is your greatest ambition as an artist? What do you hope the public perceives in the work that bears the signature of Pietro Montante?
A: In this last answer, regarding my ambitions, I want to conclude with a few personal reflections:
He sat there, the cold didn’t bother him…like an old artist from the past, he didn’t share confidences, except for a dialogue with himself, he no longer had words to spend, and instead told his story through his obsession for art.
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Art is not just colors and canvases, art is a way of life. The artist needs their sacred space, their freedom of thought, of doing, of acting, far from imposed models.
The artist disappears into their world without prejudice, without fear.
To love art is to know how to rejoice and suffer.
The ultimate goal is to die solely for art.
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Don’t look for me in my name.
Don’t look for me in my silences,
in my words,
in my smiles.
Don’t look for me in my embraces,
in my kisses,
in my distractions.Don’t look for me where I will never be.
Look for me within my colours,
and you will understand everything about me.
©️ Pietro Montante
from: Je ne suis pas
