The art in one's hands holds an invaluable worth, and this concept is applied to the fullest extent by Paolo Grillo, a distinguished artist renowned for his hyperrealistic jewelry and intricate sculptures, which seamlessly blend classical artistry with contemporary craftsmanship.
From a young age, Paolo was inspired by his father's skillful hands and creative pursuits, which laid the foundation for his dedication to art. With over 30 years of experience, he has transformed his childhood passion into a celebrated career. His works are deeply personal expressions, reflecting universal themes of love, loss, hope, and courage, and are crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Paolo also finds inspiration in mythology, particularly the stories of gods, heroes, and monsters, which offer an inexhaustible source of creativity. In this interview, we explore Paolo Grillo's beginnings, his creative process, and the inspirations that fuel his extraordinary works. Discover how this Venetian artist combines tradition with innovation to produce timeless pieces that resonate deeply with his audience.
1. Paolo, how were your beginnings in the world of sculpture and jewelry making? What
motivated you to pursue this profession?
From an early age, I always had a great predisposition for drawing and craftsmanship.
I can still recall countless afternoons spent in my father's warehouse, where I could unleash my
creativity and bring it to life in three dimensions through the creation of objects.
My father was a municipal employee, but he always possessed a gift for craftsmanship, even
though he never pursued it professionally. When he wasn't spending his free time building and
painting models, he dedicated himself to gardening, expressing his manual dexterity in various
ways.
I likely inherited this ability from both him and my grandfather, and I've put it to good use.
Unfortunately, I never knew my grandfather, but I know he was a painter, and in my own way, I'm
happy to have brought this talent to light, making it not just a job but my entire life.
I studied extensively to embark on this path, attending the Art Institute, where I learned to work
with textiles, printing, and graphic design. In my specific area of focus, I delved into the art of
metals and jewelry making, a true forge of talent, very concrete and linked to artistic crafts.
2. Accumulating 30 years of experience in your field is an impressive achievement. Staying
active and passionate after so long is quite a challenge. How do you feel about it? Did you
expect to reach this point in your career when you started?
For many years, I kept my passion for the dark world under wraps, creating rather common,
anonymous jewelry pieces that, if worn, don't convey any distinctive message but serve as simple
(albeit beautiful) adornments. Being able to fully express my true and deep passion now makes this work an integral part of who I am. The effort I put into communicating the quality of my work and my ability to treat customers with sincere empathy, putting myself in their shoes, is amply rewarded by the affection and esteem I receive before, during, and especially after fulfilling their requests and desires. My mission is to create objects that can last over time, resisting fleeting trends.
We are surrounded by things that are often futile and meaningless. This is why, in creating my objects, I always try to go deep, with the precise intent of establishing a connection of intrinsic value, relegating any temptation of a "commercial" or easily grasped concept to my "mental basement."
Honestly, I didn't think at the beginning that I would achieve what I am today, but sometimes
miracles happen!
3. What inspires you to create those unique hyperrealistic jewelry pieces? Is there any
particular source of inspiration that drives you?
The inspiration for my hyperrealistic jewelry stems from a deep fascination with the beauty and
complexity of the world around us. I immerse myself in various sources to find inspiration, including classical art, literature, symbolism, stories and legends, and mythology.
Classical art, with its harmony of forms and idealized representation of human nature, inspires me
to create jewelry that embodies beauty and perfection. Literature, with its stories rich in emotions and complex characters, nourishes me with ideas and pushes me to explore universal themes such as love, loss, hope, and courage. Symbolism, with its language rich in meaning, helps me give my jewelry an extra layer of depth and significance.
Stories and legends, with their ability to transport us to fantastical worlds, inspire me to create
jewelry that captures the imagination and takes the wearer to another dimension.
And finally, mythology, with its gods, heroes, and monsters, offers me an inexhaustible source of
inspiration to create jewelry that evokes mystery, power, and magic.
In addition to these specific sources, I also draw inspiration from nature, everyday life, and the
people I meet. I believe that everything in the world has the potential to inspire creativity, and I
always try to capture the beauty and wonder that surrounds me.
4. What is your creative process when designing and crafting a new piece? Could you
describe the steps you take from the initial idea to the finished piece?
In creating my jewelry, I strive to combine these diverse sources of inspiration to craft unique and
original pieces that tell a story and evoke emotions.
There's no single creative process that guides me; instead, it's an ongoing flow of ideas and
suggestions drawn from everything around me. This blend of influences is what makes my jewelry
so distinct and special.
Once the initial inspiration takes hold, the technical steps unfold organically. Preliminary sketches
often take a backseat as the idea develops and the piece takes shape through the sculpting
process. It's directly in this process that the object assumes its definitive form. Additionally, I must
necessarily consider ergonomic limitations, as my small sculptures are meant to be worn. My
three-dimensional idea takes shape directly on the piece, with my mind projecting towards its final
use.
5. In technical terms, what materials and tools do you prefer to use in your work?
Once the wax prototype/sculpture is complete, the piece is transformed into silver or gold using
the time-honored lost-wax casting technique, which allows the piece to "metamorphose" into
metal.
The subsequent steps involve preserving and enhancing the numerous details, even the internal
ones that I like to call the "Dark Side," which are meticulously hand-finished with precision using
specialized tools, some of which I have even created myself. A standard industrial process of this
type would inevitably blunt or even eliminate these intricate details.
6. What role does the diverse and enthusiastic audience play in the creation of your jewelry?
How do you consider diversity in your designs?
The role of my audience is fundamental to my creative process. Many of my jewelry pieces stem
from ideas, inspirations, and passions that I share with my customers.
My audience, although diverse and belonging to various subcultures, shares a common
foundation that is also reflected in my personal taste. In other words, "my people speak my
language."This deep connection with my audience translates into the diversity of my creations. My jewelry pieces resonate strongly with the audience's emotions and thoughts, becoming a shared
expression of values, interests, and ideas.
Collaboration and dialogue with my audience are essential elements of my work. Through their
feedback and experiences, I can enrich my artistic vision and create jewelry that is not only
aesthetically pleasing but also carries deep personal meaning for the wearer, much like a tattoo.
Ultimately, my audience is an integral part of my creative process and the success of my work.
Their passion, enthusiasm, and support are what drive me to create ever-new and original jewelry
pieces that resonate with their souls and tell our shared story.
7. Besides jewelry, do you engage in other forms of art or have any particular interests that
influence your work?
There are many art forms that I would love to dedicate time to, but unfortunately, due to my
commitments, I have to limit myself.
Painting, for example, is one that I would like to revisit and delve into more deeply.
However, as a "self-made man," I am passionate about everything that is visible on my social
media channels and website.The graphic design, texts, videos, and photos are all created by me
with great care and attention to detail.
8. For those who are discovering your work for the first time and might be interested in
becoming future followers or clients, what advice would you give them? What aspects
should they consider when acquiring a unique jewelry piece like yours?
To answer your question honestly, I would say that it’s my customers who give me the most
valuable advice! Such is the immediate connection that is created with those who approach me
for the first time and discover my work and, above all, my way of working.
However, when it comes to unique pieces, the discussion becomes more profound. When I am
asked for a personal or unique piece, it must be taken into account that the complexity of the design and planning phase requires countless hours of work, testing, and refinement. This entails
a cost that goes far beyond the standards of my sample jewelry.
9. If someone wants to get in touch with you, where and how could they do so? Is it
necessary to schedule a prior appointment to discuss their projects or to acquire one of
your works?
To order jewelry from my sample collection, please visit my website at www.xdecem.com and
allow for a delivery time of 20 to 40 days. This is because, in addition to the production time, we
must also take into account the waitlist.
For unique or custom pieces, there is a dedicated page on my website called "Become the Artist."
There, interested individuals can contact me through a form describing their idea. The wait times
for these pieces are significantly longer, potentially exceeding one year.
10. Is there anything you would like to say or express your gratitude for?
While it may sound like a cliché, my deepest gratitude goes to learning from my mistakes. Every
failure, every stumble, every challenge overcome has contributed to shaping the person I am
today. Instead of shying away from them, I have embraced my mistakes as valuable life lessons,
drawing from them strength, wisdom, and a renewed determination and passion.
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