Pietro Adamo

The paintings of Pietro Adamo are abstract celebrations of the artist’s admiration for the “unpredictable and inexhaustible record of life.” Adamo abandons the monotony of conventional rendering of geometric forms through his textured surfaces and rough contours. In his passion for conveying emotion, Adamo intimately works his canvases by both applying and removing pigment to create a tactile quality. Layer upon layer of vibrant colours dynamically emerge and recede within the canvas. This juxtaposition is what gives Adamo’s work its mood and sensational quality.

Adamo delights in the unbridled, intuitive nature of his forms, which enable him to evoke sensations and emotions. Adamo emphasizes his art’s liberating quality: “I have to paint… to speak without words, to express myself without restrictions, never relenting.” One can find optimism and strength in his work as he combines sophisticated geometric spatial relationships with a raw, emotional use of colour.

Born in Toronto, Canada, in 1955, Pietro Michele Adamo currently resides with his family in the town of Kleinburg, Ontario. After graduating from the Fine Art and Art History programs at the University of Toronto and Sheridan College in Oakville, Adamo went on to become an art professor at Chaminade College School in Toronto. There, he established a strong Visual Arts department, and some of his students later became prominent architects, designers, illustrators, and fine artists. Within two decades, Adamo not only gained status as an effective teacher, but he also executed several private and public commissions of his work. By 1997, Adamo’s work commanded his full-time dedication.

As a lover of travel, Adamo finds inspiration in the places he visits, both old and new, near and far. He feels an especially deep connection to Italy, a place that his ancestors called home. Italy’s rich history, spectacular architecture, variety of museums, and breathtaking landscapes each hold a place in Adamo’s heart. Adamo has recently begun to discover the beauty that accompanies each season in and around Toronto as well. Originally, he felt that our landscape was void of colour during many seasons, but he says that if you look closely, there are a myriad of colours and fine details to be discovered. He then takes these inspirations back to his studio, where they are expressed on the canvas with a uniquely graceful complexity.

Today, Pietro Adamo continues to create original works from his home studio, exploring the potentialities of self-expression through his abstract work. Adamo`s career as an artist has been a journey of continuous exploration and growth. His paper, wood, and canvas have a constant audience. He has also released a highly successful series of hand-pulled prints and posters, as well as bas-relief sculptures. Today, his works can be found in galleries and collections worldwide.