Street artist, Mauro Pallotta, uses real events and people as inspiration for his work. For example, he recently completed a piece with Pope Francis and Lionel Messi coinciding with Argentina's victory in the World Cup.
Pallotta is also known for these images of Pope Francis as a superhero, skiing, and mischievously playing Tic-Tac-Toe, which have appeared throughout the streets of Italy. For Pallotta, these works of art are a means of communicating.
MAURO PALLOTTA
Artist
If I decide to do something in the street, I do it with an extremely simple language and style. Because the goal is that the image should be understood even by a child of 4 years old.
His other most recent work is called the “Push of Peace.” It was created as a gift for a pediatric hospital in Rome. Pallotta put this image, along with all his other papal designs, in a book and gave it to Pope Francis as a gift after a General Audience.
MAURO PALLOTTA
Artist
And, as I flipped through the various drawings that I've dedicated to him over the years, he was amused, but some he really recognized. He pointed out the ones that he remembered the most to me. So, it gave me great pride that he recognized my works.
While the images may only last a few weeks on the street corners, they can leave a lasting impact on people of all ages. Pallotta uses his artwork to convey important messages, particularly the theme of peace.
MAURO PALLOTTA
Artist
It is an important issue for me and Pope Francis. But fundamentally, I think that it is undeniable that peace is a basic and fundamental issue for all of humanity. Because without peace, there is no progress, there is no prosperity, there is no life.
For his next pieces, Pallotta wants to continue spreading peace and cover three main themes: the war in Ukraine, the situation in Iraq, and the economic struggles in Italy.
KG
