Biography
Born in Salerno in 1973, Giovanni de Michele discovered at a very young age a passion for art, and in particular for the paintings of the Great Masters such as Caravaggio, Van Gogh and J. Pollock. He later developed the same passion for all other forms of art - cinema, literature and music, and has become an organizer of cultural events on an international scale in adulthood.
His interest in art began at the age of only 13. At first he was self-taught and later attended painting courses in his home town. He approached art through the example of the post impressionists – for a certain period (1986-1996) the materiality of colour on canvas remained – creating typically figurative paintings.
In time de Michele moved away from the figurative towards the more abstract where he began to use different supports (wood, polystyrene) and various techniques (collage, acrylic on wood), using different kind of material, even coffee, to create new colors and nuances. (1997-2008).
In 2009 he began a series of works on paper and canvas based on the technique of the subtraction of color. The works of this period are intense, sometimes minimal, where black and white, once applied to the support are removed immediately leaving just a shadow, a mark, a wound in their place. The works of the series “Cities” and “Landscapes” are good examples of this period. In the world, humanity leaves painful traces, skeletons and shadows in the fog, which in time disappear almost completely.
For this painter, art is also experimentation, but above all a means of self-expression; in fact, his works are the fruit of intense emotions. The works of de Michele, characterized by fast, precise strokes, are usually preceded by a preparatory drawing which often becomes the basis for a work of large dimensions and of a strong visual and emotional impact.
Despite being a truly productive artist, he has taken part in only a few group exhibitions in Italy where he received great public approval. His works are present in private collections.
He currently lives and works in Salerno.
