Alice Aloi, the young illustrator from Cefalù who turns mythology into art
Born in Cefalù in 2005, Alice Aloi is a young illustrator who has turned a self-taught passion into an increasingly defined artistic path. After attending a language-oriented high school, she decided to deepen her skills by enrolling at the Scuola del Fumetto in Palermo, carrying forward a research journey that blends traditional and digital techniques, dreamlike atmospheres, and references to Greek mythology.
Her bond with her homeland, Sicily, emerges both in cultural references and in the inspiration she draws from the landscapes around her. In 2025, she took part in the Art Symposium – Cefalù City of Artists, confirming her role as a young creative voice ready to leave her mark. We talked with her about inspirations, style, and future dreams. Sicilian Secrets interviewed her.
Q: Alice, how did your love for drawing and painting begin?
A: I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, although it was only in middle school that I really started to develop this passion and make a serious effort to improve my work. One episode that always comes to mind is the story my mother loves to tell (though I don’t remember it myself): apparently, when I was in kindergarten, I drew all my classmates and somehow managed to capture their features despite the technical limitations of a child.
Q: Many of your illustrations, especially in the way you depict characters, recall Greek mythology. What fascinates you about this imagery, and why have you chosen it as your stylistic signature?
A: Greek mythology is another passion of mine that has been with me for a long time. I believe those stories and the archetypes embodied by the gods capture the conflicts and complexities of humanity in a unique way, so much so that we still find them captivating today. There’s also the cultural bond: our culture partly derives from that of the Greeks. Some myths are said to have taken place right here in Sicily, and we mustn’t forget the ruins of Magna Graecia scattered across our region.
Q: What are your daily sources of inspiration? Are there artists or art movements that you feel closest to?
A: Inspiration can come from anywhere: films (especially animation), books, music, art history, and above all, other contemporary artists around me—whether on social media or in real life. That’s also what makes the Art Symposium – Cefalù City of Artists such a precious opportunity. As for specific movements and artists, I’m inspired by anything that evokes beauty, emotion, and imagination, from Renaissance masters to 19th-century Romanticism, Art Nouveau, and the Pre-Raphaelites. Recently, I’ve been fascinated by John William Waterhouse’s works, for both his technique and the atmosphere he creates.
Q: Your art was born and raised in Sicily, in Cefalù. How much does your homeland influence your colors, subjects, and artistic sensibility?
A: As I mentioned, my connection with my homeland comes through in my link to Greek mythology. I made a more direct reference to Sicily, particularly the aesthetics of Sicilian carts and puppets, in my painting inspired by Orlando Furioso. For me, art is also a way to connect with the landscape: I often carry watercolors and a small sketchbook with me to quickly capture what surrounds me.
Q: How would you describe Alice Aloi’s style to someone who has never seen your work?
A: In more technical terms, I’d call it “semi-realistic”. But if I had to describe what I want to express, I’d say “dreamlike”. Through my art, I want to transport viewers into a different world, more expressive and imaginative, or perhaps highlight the beauty of our own.
Q: In an era dominated by digital tools, you’ve chosen to give space to traditional drawing as well. What does it mean to you to maintain this direct contact with the material? And what differences do you find between “analog” art and digital drawing?
A: While it’s possible to create beautiful works digitally, there will always be something special in the physicality of a traditional piece and in the endless possibilities that different techniques provide. After all, creating an artwork is also a way of stepping away from the screens we’re constantly glued to. Especially now, in times of digital dominance and artificial intelligence, it’s important for me to find a physical connection with my artwork and its uniqueness.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your dreams and projects as an artist? Let’s take a peek at Alice Aloi’s wish list…
A: My greatest dream is to share my stories with the world, whether through comics, books, or paintings (among other things, I would love to adapt the Iliad and the Odyssey into comics). I’d also love to work in the French comic book industry or in the world of concept art for animation.
