Testimonials
Chris Clay
Port Credit contemporary visual artist Claudio Ghirardo makes his first artistic foray into the Peel Heritage Complex with a solo exhibition.
Neo-Humanism-A Contemporary Way to Look and Experience Figurative Paintings features some 15 paintings of people involved in various activities. The show, which also includes a series of sketch drawings on the gallery windows, continues until Feb 21. "I don’t like to paint people who’re just sitting there," said Ghirardo. "I’ve always enjoyed people being active. I spend a lot of time in coffee shops watching people, and you find that the human figure is always active and always doing something." "When you exaggerate these actions, it enhances the expression fo the human body." Many of Ghirardo’s paintings depict figures with twisted, elongated limbs and features. He describes his exhibition as showing "people in various activities whereby the human body is distorted and metamorphosed to consider our humanity and the changes we go through based on the action (and) reaction of our environment."
The artist said his sketches and paintings are two separate endevours. "I wanted to use (the drawings) to complement what I’m doing," he said. "In the paintings, you typically see the full figure. The drawings are really just sketches."
Ghirardo said he’s thankful for the opportunity to show his works to a Peel audience. "Artists have to continuously get out there (because) if you keep your work at home, nobody gets to see them," he said. "You have to show your work to get a reaction from people."
The exhibit features both older and newer works; Ghirardo said it shows an "evolution" of his creations. Peel Heritage Comples is located at 9 Wellington St. E., Brampton.
Mississauga News
"Exhibit uses Masks to tell Stories"
Mississauga News
Patricia Peterson www.patriciapetersonartist.com
I was particularly taken by your painting. The quality of movement, intention, the subject and its context in art have an amazing juxtaposed meaning that all come together in an instant of time that is incredible.
By Professor Peter Larisey, s.j.
Claudio Ghirardo and his figurative art have an independence which gives hope that his paintings could stretch our horizons. We can’t fit his works into familiar categories, no. But many, like 40 Years Later (2006) provoke hovering memories of humanism, of realism, of earlier artists and sometimes, of a specific work. In this work, realism is evoked because Ghirardo decided to paint this aged couple all but nude and with bones pushing through the wrinkles and sags of old skin.
These could have been suitable subjects for a realist painter a la Courbet. But Ghirardo has not seen such a couple nor even used models in his studio: they, and most of his people, come from resources of his imagination. The specific earlier work 40 Years Later reminds this viewer of Manet’s D’ejeuner sur l’herbe of 1863. That famous -in its time notorious - painting of relaxing people, some nude, lunching near a shore, is an image of attractive young people involved in temporary relationships.
Ghirardo has imagined his picnicking old couple after decades of life together, peaceful in their isolation on the ocean’s shore, that perennial image of death.
Art Historian - Regis College - University of Toronto
"A Twist on Life gives Artist Fresh Perspective" by Chris Clay
The figures are clearly human, but somehow different. An extra joint where one shouldn’t exist, a twisted limb or some other physical oddity dominates Port Credit artist Claudio Ghirardo’s neo-humanist series. About 30 of his pieces are on display this weekend at the Toronto Art Expo, being held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The pieces can be viewed by visiting www.claudioghirardo.com.
"It’s hard to explain," my mindset when creating art, said Ghirardo. "I don’t work by thinking, I just act. The paintings started with a sketch I drew of an arm with three joints. I started playing around with it because i thought it was rather interesting. I fin it seems to enhance the expression on the figure’s face and gives them a distinct human quality."
Ghirardo is sharing his booth at the show witrh fellow artist Walt Chaisson. The two decided to participate in the show after another friend was forced to drop out at the last minute. "This is my first time at the expo; I’ve been before, but I haven’t shown my work, and it’s going to be a great opportunity to showcase (the art) to a greater audience," said Ghirardo. "A show like this will really help me get noticed." The exhibition features works by about 300 national and international artists. Ghirardo is located at booth 138, aisle G.
The paintings have a whimsical quality, which might sound strange coming from a self-described "serious" person. "I just want to play around and have some fun with the art," said Ghirardo. "Deep down, I’m a serious person, but if I take the painting too seriously it can block the creative process. If you let me be, I can come up with some pretty crazy stuff. With art, you just have to do it. Have a few accidents and see what you come up with. I’ve always enjoyed figure drawing. There’s just something amazing about the construction of the human body."
Mississauga News
Dilettante’s Diary, Web Art Critic
Some pictures I did like. Claudio Ghirardo’s rough drawing of a carpenter, in a scribbly style, mostly in primary colours, has great energy and strength to it.
Drawing 2005, 6th Annual Drawing Exhibition
Tanner Tuttle, Period Gallery Artist Relations
Your work, chosen from hundreds of entries submitted from around the world, has defined a high standard of excellence-congratulations.
The Spiritual VII International
Jurors of the 26th Visual Arts Mississauga
The Steelworker rich in colour and simple flat-shaped design, the subject's face reflects the weight of his daily life's profession with sinister and steely resolve painted with a delicate hand.
"The Venetian Masks feel like Mardi Gras" by Sandy Millar
It’s always Mardi Gras time for Mississauga artist Claudio Ghirardo. Until May 4, the Meadowvale Theatre is hosting Ghirardo’s impressive and striking works. They’re on display in the main lobby. The theatre is located just west of Erin Mills Pkwy. on Battleford Rd. Admission is free. "I was born in Toronto," said Ghirardo, "but when I was 3, my parents returned to Italy to be near family. They had left Italy because of the economy but times had gotten better. "Back in Italy, it was a tradition to celebrate good times by taking to the streets in costumes. I remember those grand celebrations. Confetti was everywhere. They made such an imprint on my young mind that they have influenced my life ever since." Ghirardo’s recollections are the focus of his latest series of 14 paintings entitled The Venetian Masks Series. They are individual portraits of common characters from opera and theatre. "A few years ago," said Ghirardo, "my wife and I took a trip back to Italy so I could relive the moment. We sat in cafes during Carnival time, which occurs once a year and is very similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. I sketched or pho- tographed the most intriguing and captivating characters and finished them when we returned home." Most of Ghirardo’s portraits combine watercolour and acrylic with accents in pen and pencil to highlight. All of the works are 10-by-15 inches and framed. Each is selling for $800. There are few artists in the city who can match Ghirardo’s figurative works. He studied at Sheridan College before entering the Joe Kubert School of Art in New Jersey to specialize in cartoons and graphic arts. Instructors had encouraged him to become a serious artist, but Ghirardo saw where he might combine two different styles.
Mississauga News
North York Mirror for North York Visual Tour
vivid, out-of-the-ordinary style and subjects
North York Mirror
