Umberto Carotenuto

I am Umberto Carotenuto, a painter, decorator and engraver deeply attached to my Vesuvian roots.
The thousand-year history of the Vesuvian towns, the mystery that emerges from the remains of the ancient cities buried by Vesuvius, the spirit and culture of these places are the creative material that characterises my research.

The search for an archetypal, almost primitive image and at the same time the reference to classical iconography are manifested in the destructive but cathartic energy of the natural element, in the depiction of fragments of people and architecture, in the colouristic and sign rendering characterised by colours distributed in patches and material stripes. The jute canvas support and the painting technique give the works an appearance that brings them close to the faded and time-worn frescoes of Pompeii and other archaeological sites.

The theme of cultural identity, the relationship between mankind and the volcano, the stories, myths and rituals that arise from it are vital creative material for my artistic research. The story that I try to write with my paintings is that of an entire community, men who have drawn from the magma of their land and the ashes of Vesuvius their own character and their thousa...

In 2015 I obtained my 2nd level Academic Diploma in Decoration at the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples with a thesis in cultural anthropology "The memory of the ancient in art" and an art project in graphic art "Memory and oblivion, suggestions from Pliny's letters" in which the main theme is the influence that Pompeii and its art have had on artists since their discovery in the 18th century.

My strong interest in graphic art led me to study graphic techniques in depth, favouring etching and woodcuts, at the workshops of the Academy of Naples.

At the same time, for three years I attended the "Scuola di Pittura Pompeiana" directed by Maestro Franco Gracco to continue my study of oil painting and ancient techniques such as egg tempera on wood and Roman frescoes.

2021
- Mediterraneus / ars liber - International exhibition of artists' books, Museo del Mar di Santa Pola, Castillo Fortaleza (Spain)
- Art-e Orizzonti Artistici 3rd edition - art collective at MACO MUSEUM of Veroli (Rome) (selected work)
- "Parlami di Dante attraverso la Divina Commedia" - group exhibition at Galleria Spazio Arte Petrecca, Isernia (selected work)

2020
- Quinta Dimensione - WeSpace Gallery (Naples)
- Water Cities - Atelier Controsegno - Pozzuoli (Naples)
- Il Piacere Nei Libri review of erotic art from ex libris to artist's books, Linea d'Arte Officina Creativa (Naples)

2019
- Primèvo -Bipersonal exhibition at MaMo gallery (Milan)
Everyone plays his card - International Graphics Centre of Venice (Venice)
- Percorrenze Dinamiche - Spazio Martucci 56 gallery (Naples)
- Artist's Book Biennial - Linea d'Arte Officina Creativa, Complesso San Domenico Maggiore (Naples)
Naples and surroundings - Atelier Controsegno, Pozzuoli (Naples)
- Venti per Venti (put your face on it), international exhibition, Naples
- Impressions of the Author, Life Art Gallery, Battipaglia (Salerno)