Exhibition Dates: Extended until July 31
Hours: Tu & Th 10-3, Sat 12pm - 5pm
In His Own Words: “On Carving Marble” By: Dino Galiano
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“At the age of fifteen I read Irving Stone’s, “The Agony and the Ecstasy”- a novel about the life of Michelangelo Buonarroti. That book literally helped shape the approach and direction of my artistic journey. I worked the entire summer of 1980 with my father in his construction business until I had earned enough to purchase a substantial block of marble. Finally, I found B&P Marble in Jamaica, Queens. In their yard was one ton, 6’ tall, 18” X16” block of white Greek Pentelic marble. The price was a hefty $1,200.00 for pick-up only. On August 9th, 1980, my 19th birthday, my father and I got in his 1967 International Harvester dump truck and made our way out to Jamaica, Queens. Soon after, I realized that I shouldn’t rush into this work, so I decided to wait until I had a solid idea that would take advantage of the whole block with a single theme
Meanwhile, at Rutgers College, I had been taking courses on Dante’s Divine Comedy and was fascinated by the story and visual potential that could be depicted. I looked at the work of Gustavo Doré , a mid 19th century engraver who produced the quintessential classical illustrations of The Divine Comedy. It was Doré who pointed me in the direction to carve selective characters and scenes from Dante’s masterpiece. The Greek marble block became the canvas for depicting the entire Divine Comedy structure that is Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso as well as portraits of Dante, Virgil and Beatrice.
The special effect that brings the marble to life is natural sunlight. All of the carvings are displayed outside under cover and change dramatically depending on the time of day. There is no substitute for outside light the way it makes the shadows bold and dramatic. The procedure for carving stone starts with roughing out, then shaping, smoothing, fine details and finally, polishing. The one rule to remember is: you can’t put back on what you chip off. Unlike other sculpture mediums that can be additive, carving is subtraction only which makes it more challenging.”
Dino passed away in May of 2019- it is to be noted that he always showcased a passion for oil painting throughout his adulthood and fresco work in his later life, as well as carving marble. Scenes of Italy and religious saints were his main sources of inspiration.
Biography
Born in Newark, NJ, Dino P. Galiano was raised in Metuchen, and resided with his wife and children in North Brunswick, NJ. Dino started carving marble at the age of fifteen and was self-taught. A graduate from Rutgers College ‘83 with a B.A. in Art History, he was influenced primarily by artist Michelangelo Buonarotti and followed the procedure of directly carving into stone with few, or no models. Dino's interest in the Italian Renaissance era, enhanced by many inspiring journeys to Italy, gave him the fascination for carving marble. The love of the Italian language was also a passion of his. It only makes sense that The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri was Dino’s lifetime study. Dino lived his life as a skilled mason of his and his family businesses. He was a true Renaissance man in his labor, artistic achievements, scholarly pursuits, and the way he lived every day of his life. He was a friend to all people and shared his passions for art, gardening, and literature with everyone whom he met. Dino's talents, passions, and spirit are represented today in this exhibit of his extraordinary character, talents, and the man, himself, Dino P. Galiano.
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Photos from Reception at Casa Colombo:
