Coincidences? Upon closer inspection, the research work for a dialogue between different cultures, but linked by passion, patience and peace, unites different figures and from different periods of culture and politics, such as Nelson Mandela, the Spanish artist Josè Ortega and that of ‘ ‘Terra d’Otranto”, which coincides with Magna Graecia, and Salvatore Sebaste. And the work of the latter, which recalls a well-known passage (La canzone di Piero) by Fabrizio De Andrè: a thousand red poppies… which stand out and inspired the work ”Prato Rosso” which the Salento artist Salvatore Sebaste , resident for over 50 years in Bernalda (Matera) donated to the Municipality of Matera. A work, created in 1986 in the wake of a production of large works, which were donated to the State Police, to the Basilicata Region.
The painting, which measures 1.80 x 1.80 metres, is inspired – as the artist recalled – by a field of red poppies in the Metaponto area, beyond the level crossing in which signs and figures of nature are depicted” . And Sebaste, who has reached 85 springs, lay in the poppy field observing the clouds chasing each other, the insects performing evolutions and listening to everything that led him to ”abstract” from nature and produce in the laboratory. Prato rosso was also this, drawing on the culture of Magna Graecia and the comparison with two friends from the past, the archaeologists of Romanian origin Dinu Adamesteanu and Salento (from Andrano) Antonio De Siena. And here Sebaste is a river in flood, just like the Bradano that reaches Metaponto, passing through the others that saw the Greek colonists move back towards the interior, spreading cultures, techniques, rites. We could talk about it for hours. Sebaste once again launched the message-hope for the future of many of his works today in the Laboratory. It is up to the territory with dedicated projects to think about it and find a synthesis.
The delivery of the work took place in the presence of the mayor Domenico Bennardi and the councilor for culture Tiziana D’Oppido, who highlighted the intense research work conducted by the artist in rediscovering and enhancing the cultural roots of Magna Graecia. A relationship with Matera, and with the Municipality, which does not end here. We await developments. Moreover, the City Palace has works of different designs and periods in the rooms on the floors. It wouldn’t be bad if a route could be organized to visit the Municipal Art Gallery, in a manner to be defined, perhaps at the weekend.
SOME DATA ON THE ARTIST’S ACTIVITY RELEASED BY THE MUNICIPALITY
Sebaste is a very well-known artist on the national scene, with studios in Metaponto, Bologna and Milan. Painter, sculptor and engraver, he obtained his artistic maturity at the Art Institute of Lecce and at the Master of Fine Arts in Florence. He then perfected his engraving techniques at Mario Leoni’s chalcographic studio in Bologna. In Bernalda since 1966, his chalcographic laboratory is a meeting and cultural entertainment point for contemporary artists. In this studio he printed, in 1980, eight etchings by Joseph Beuys, the only ones created by the German artist. From 1975 to 1977 he was president of the cultural club “La Scaletta” in Matera, where he founded, with other artist friends, the “Free School of Graphics”. In 1992 he exhibited his art books at “The Museum of Modern Art” in New York and is included in the catalog “The artist and the book in twentieth – century Italy”, edited by Ralph Jentsch (Ed. Allemandi, Turin ). In 1994 he participated in the art book exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in Venice and is present in the catalog of “Italian artist’s books of the twentieth century” (Ed. Allemandi, Turin). From 1956 to today he has created numerous and important personal and collective exhibitions in Italy and abroad.
