Finestra A Sud
Artist Alessandro Florio, born in Taormina, Sicily, initially immersed himself in the artistic environment through the world of tattoos, a passion that deeply resonates with him.
ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN FAENA JOURNAL ISSUE #55 • SPRING 2024
“Every year we search for an artist who we believe to have the same spirit and ethos of GITANO: bohemian, free, open-minded, and elegant,” said founder James Gardner. The search led him to Alessandro Florio, a Sicilian painter from the Italian town of Taormina, whose cobblestone streets and turquoise waters were made famous by the second season of White Lotus, an award-winning Netflix series. “We were impressed by his lifestyle and his work, which we thought to be colossal, mythical, and moving,” explained Gardner.
Florio is a professional tattoo artist turned painter known for a vivid style. His oil-on-canvas paintings weave motifs echoing his Sicilian roots to create a rich tapestry of color, form, and identity. “With his use of pinks and greens, tropical palms and animals, as well as Faena reds and gold, we immediately fell in love,” Gardner said. The evolution of Florio’s art can be traced back to a moment that occurred during a visit to the Louvre in Paris. Witnessing collections painted by the old masters inspired him to move beyond small-scale tattoos to broader canvases that express his deep respect for nature while drawing on inspiration from Oriental art.
During Miami Art Week, Florio was invited to paint an artwork live in Casa Faena’s atrium. Five of his artworks are still on display in Casa Faena as well as GITANO’s Jungle Rooftop Bar, where Miami who’s who sip signature mezcal cocktails under sunset skies. “It’s the perfect addition to our ambiance,” said Gardner.
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