Fenton & Fenton is excited to introduce Piero Clemente Garreffa to our stable of artists. Piero is a Melbourne-based painter, who is perfectly comfortable playing with his imperfections. We had the opportunity to ask Piero some questions about his practice and influences.
Image by: @patriciakarallis
Piero, tell us a bit about how a day might look for you as an artist. Where are you based and what are some of the things that you do in your daily routine?
I live above a bottle shop in Fitzroy and wake up to the sounds of the busy street below. I have a shower, and sometimes race to the Moka pot to see if I can hop in and out before the coffee finishes brewing. Most of my day I spend ideating… waiting for the idea I have in my head to become ready to paint.
Can you share your journey and how you became practising as an artist?
There are a few pivotal points. Some as a kid and some as an adult. When I was in grade 6 my teacher stuck me on a desk in front of the whiteboard as a punishment because I couldn’t resist gazing out the window. So, what did I do? I got my permanent markers out and sketched a window right on that board. My teacher lost it, but I shrugged and said, “It’s just a drawing.”
I remember one night when I was about 16 or 17, I caught a show on SBS called “This is Modern Art” by Matthew Collings (highly recommended viewing). After leaving school, I tried a bunch of different jobs and eventually found myself doing hairdressing at 21. I thought I could express my creative ambitions in a salon, but this didn’t last long. That’s when I stopped and asked myself, “What do I do that makes me happy?” The answer was art. So, I enrolled in the local TAFE and began my diploma studies. I didn’t finish them; instead, I had a grand plan to move to Italy and pursue my artistic ambitions there. Being in Europe allowed me to find myself and create the dialogue and material that exist in my art-making today. I then went on to study for a Master in Fine Art at RMIT during the peak of COVID and graduated in 2021.
You lived in Florence for a number of years, what was the most inspiring thing about living there?
Living in Florence was truly a transformative experience. Every day felt like stepping into a living masterpiece. My bike rides to work were particularly inspiring; I would glide past the stunning Palazzo Pitti, cross the Ponte Vecchio, and weave through the Uffizi.
I vividly remember one evening, sharing a moment with friends as we watched the sun rise over the Arno River. We joked, “Who needs to chase your dreams when you can live in Florence?” It perfectly encapsulated the feeling of being surrounded by beauty and inspiration every day.
What I loved most was the sense of community. You could simply walk to the piazza, sit on the steps, and spark conversations with total strangers. Those exchanges of ideas and experiences were incredibly enriching and made me appreciate the importance of connection in everyday life. Florence wasn't just a place to live; it was a vibrant canvas that invited you to engage with art, history, and people in a way that felt deeply fulfilling. It’s the place where I feel truly myself. Some of the most dearest and talented people I know I met thanks to those times living in Florence.
Can you tell us about the painting, ‘Nonna’s Angels’?
The work is a homage to my Nonna and celebration of growing up and spending countless hours with her that allowed me to explore and express myself. While my Nonno spoke a bit of English, my Nonna didn't speak a word it, often calling on me to translate phone conversations. I fondly remember my Nonna teaching me how to draw flowers, a skill that would shape my artistic eye.
As I became more aware, I began to see the works of Picasso, Matisse, and Warhol and couldn't help but think, "Hey, they copied my Nonna!" She had immigrated from Italy shortly after the war, finding work as a dressmaker in Melbourne, while my Nonno had settled in Mildura earlier. They spent much of their lives working the land, imparting sincerity and honesty into everything they did.
Looking back, I now appreciate my Nonna's artwork without needing to translate or understand the technicalities; it speaks to me in my own artistic language. Her work have become teaching aids in my own practice, offering me comfort in my mistakes and teaching me to embrace and be proud of them, there’s no need to conceal imperfections.
Follow the link below to find out some more:
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Image by @timyeahtim
Lastly, what’s your favourite Italian dish?
My favourite Italian dishes include calamari fritti, pasta vongole, a panino with prosciutto accompanied with Peach Estathé (an Italian iced tea) at 4:30 in the afternoon. I’m also perfectly content just sitting at the table indulging in Parmigiano Reggiano.
