More about the artist
José Luis Cicciò – Artist, Illustrator, and Creator of Pinocchio in the Gallery
José Luis Cicciò (1954– 2022 ) was an Argentine-born Italian artist and illustrator whose work combines creativity, visual storytelling, and a deep fascination with transformation and identity. Born in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, he showed an early curiosity for the world around him—an inquisitive spirit that would shape his artistic journey throughout his life.
Early Life and Creative Beginnings in Argentina
From childhood, José Luis was drawn to observation, imagination, and invention. Ingenious and highly creative, he constantly searched for new ways to express ideas visually. His professional career began in advertising and graphic design, at a time when shop windows and billboards were painted entirely by hand. Using brushes, lettering, and color, he transformed everyday commercial spaces into small visual masterpieces.
He quickly distinguished himself for his precision, aesthetic sensitivity, and technical skill, earning recognition for his ability to translate complex concepts onto simple surfaces.
Migration to Italy and Artistic Reinvention
During a period of severe economic crisis in Argentina, José Luis and his wife made the courageous decision to emigrate to Italy, the land of his grandfather. This move marked a turning point. The Italy he encountered was more technologically advanced, and traditional hand-painted advertising had largely disappeared.
Rather than abandoning his creative path, José Luis reinvented himself. He explored new artistic and professional fields, including murals, screen printing on commercial vehicles, construction work, home insulation, and interior decoration, particularly after settling in Piedmont. His work was consistently valued for its quality, craftsmanship, and professionalism.
Discovering Watercolor Painting in Sicily
In 1988, while living in Sicily, José Luis discovered watercolor painting. He began portraying Sicilian landscapes through a highly personal lens—far removed from postcard imagery. Inspired by artists such as René Magritte and M.C. Escher, his paintings aimed to convey meaning, create visual illusion, and invite viewers to see reality with fresh eyes.
His early works blended landscape, family life, and personal passions, resulting in intimate and poetic compositions. Although his paintings received recognition and were exhibited successfully, painting alone could not sustain his large family, and he temporarily shifted focus to more stable sources of income.
The Birth of the Pinocchio in the Gallery Project
In 2002, José Luis participated in an artistic project for Rizzoni pasta, reinterpreting famous masterpieces by integrating the brand’s packaging into the compositions. This experience ignited the idea for a larger personal project.
Living near Vernante, a village famous for its murals inspired by The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, José Luis immersed himself in the novel. Deeply moved by its symbolism, characters, and themes of transformation, he conceived the idea of placing Pinocchio within iconic works of art, adapting the puppet’s appearance to match the style of each original master.
A Unique Artistic Vision
The first series consisted of 26 watercolor paintings on board, executed with an unconventional technique that treated watercolor like acrylic paint. Completed in just 15 intense days, the works marked the beginning of what would become the Pinocchio in the Gallery collection.
Over time, the project expanded to include large oil paintings with increased detail and complexity. In his later years, José Luis focused more closely on specific moments from Collodi’s original story. The largest canvas in the collection presents a visual summary of the entire novel, inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphs, symbolizing the puppet’s transformation from confinement to freedom, from matter to spirit.
Legacy
The story of José Luis Cicciò is one of creativity, resilience, and reinvention. More than a painter or craftsman, he was a visual storyteller who continuously adapted his creativity to life’s challenges. His legacy lives on through a body of work that celebrates imagination, transformation, and the enduring power of creative identity.