''STOP PALSTIC'' Painting

RAFFAELE CIOTOLA | ARTIST AND ACTIVIST ''The Voice, the Silence, and the New Melody of Art'' The image portraying Raffaele Ciotola with his eyes closed and mouth sealed with rainbow-flag bandages is a powerful symbol of “enough!” a protest against the humiliation and indifference he has endured throughout his personal and artistic journey. It stands as a visual statement of a moment in which the artist has chosen to let his art speak for him with a voice that resounds clearly, even in silence. For Ciotola, art is not just an aesthetic expression, but a cry of life, an act of resistance, and a bridge to those who feel invisible. Through his works rooted in his personal experience as a gay man he tells stories of identity, struggle, and hope in a world still often closed and judgmental. He believes in the revolutionary power of art as a tool for social change: his colors and symbols aim to shake, provoke, and spark sincere dialogue on issues like racism, homophobia, and inequality. Born in Naples on October 17, 1964, Ciotola is a Master of Art with a solid academic background. His multidisciplinary training has enriched his expressive abilities, blending tradition and innovation. In 2003, he founded the movement “Stop Homoph Art,” an initiative that merges art and activism to fight homophobia and promote inclusion and respect for the LGBTQ+ community. Finger Art Ciotola, created by Raffaele Ciotola in 2017, is an artistic project where the finger becomes subject, not tool. Each finger is transformed into a living micro-artwork made up, dressed, and enriched with symbolic and pictorial details that speak of identity, diversity, and irony. It’s not about painting with fingers, but about giving fingers their own soul and personality, making them the main characters in a contemporary, accessible, playful, yet deeply meaningful narrative. In 2018, he created “Rock Art Ciotola,” a project that reimagines popular icons with a rock aesthetic and stylized tattoos. His work recognized nationally and internationally serves as a manifesto of freedom and civic engagement, with pieces exhibited in prestigious museums and institutions. Through his art, Ciotola continues to deliver a message of inclusion and hope, challenging conventions and encouraging social reflection.