Interview: Domenico Belli
Luca Curci talks with Domenico Belli, honourable mention of Itsliquid International Contest – 11th edition

Domenico Belli is one of the honourable mentions of the 11th Itsliquid International Contest. “I was born in Italy in a small village called Patrica,(Frosinone), South of Rome. I started to work with metal at the age of sixteen and after a few years, my family decided to emigrate to the USA where I found employment as a metal worker and also developed my skills as an artist and designer. I started to create primitive sculptures from reclaimed steel and about 10 years ago I discovered my passion for contemporary sculpture, it was love at the first sight. Today I built only large sculptures using stainless, Cor-Ten steel, and Bronze. I show my sculptures all over the United States attending about 25 Fine Art Show each year. My sculptures are in private collections as well as in public spaces. One of the most important installations is in Italy my own town, Patrica. It is a 20 ft tall Cor-Ten steel, a tribute for all people who left that little town to emigrate to other countries”.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Domenico Belli – Art for me is an expression of Freedom. Contemporary Art is made by contemporary artists who are living in this society as it is and trying to express all, the bad and the beauty of this particular moment, without limits or boundaries. Art doesn’t have religion, sex, or race it is freedom for all. When I am in my studio, I have my music and all the instruments to create my own melody.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
DB – My inspiration is all about Nature, Love, and Human Spirit. All those three elements together are the symphony of my works. My sculptures are one of a kind because there isn’t a project behind or any measure or drawing, everything happens at a particular moment.

LC – What are you currently working on?
DB – I am working at a commission work that has specific dimensions (15ft tall) and requirements of meaning. I have to express with metal, lightness but at the same time a stunning presence and Love, embrace, and resilience who represent that family.

LC – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
DB – I started working as a metal fabricator and welder when I was sixteen years old. I was in Italy and my parents didn’t allow me to follow my dreams as an artist. I needed to find a real job and I did. But on the side, I always created animals, and flowers silhouettes from reclaimed steel. I was lucky to live in a wonderful environment surrounded by mountains.

LC – What is the most challenging part about creating your artwork?
DB – I am in love with the forms, shapes, grains, and texture of the metal I work with. Each metal (stainless, Cor-Ten, and Bronze) has its own beauty but working with each of those is often a challenge and it is wonderful to see where I started and what I have created when it is finished.

LC – Which is the role the artist plays in society? And contemporary art?
DB – I think that an artist has a big role in our society. Art is a human expression of beauty even when our modern society is experiencing trouble and it is difficult to think about beauty and express it in any medium. Contemporary art provides opportunities to reflect on society and issues that are important to us and the world.