Young Alfio has already made his mark in the art world, winning the Monsignor Doherty Prize at the recent Clancy Religious Art Exhibition. Alfio’s oil painting, “The Pull of a Pilgrim”, is an exquisite portrait of fellow Year 8 student Nicholas. Ms Dannielle Spurr, Visual Arts Teacher at Marist College Eastwood says, “Afio is in Year 8, however, this year he is doing the Year 9 Course, which is the first time we have accelerated a student this early in his high school years.”
So where does this talent come from? No idea, says Alfio. “Neither of my parents are artistic at all. He continues, “The teachers at school have helped me develop my talents by bringing in tutors and supplying me with all the resources I could ever need. With this, I was able to have full creative freedom over my ideas to create the first serious oil painting portrait that I had ever done.
The pose and meaning behind the artwork comes from the theme for the competition, “Pilgrimage the inner and outer journeys for transformation”, says Alfio.
Alfio explains this moving portrait: “My painting, titled ‘The Pull of a Pilgrim,’ depicts a person holding a direct gaze at the viewer of the painting. The forward-facing outstretched hand is soft and greets the viewer, and the hand facing the light is the leading hand. This depicts a messenger of the Lord in human form – a pilgrim. The person tries to guide the viewer into trusting in the Lord’s way so they can be accepted into heaven (hence his hand gestures and the light in the distance). His unwavering gaze and lack of a smile give a sense of seriousness and urgency to the artwork. In psychology, a stare can invade an individual’s privacy (among other things), which is what this painting is attempting to do. The painting’s stare can cause self-consciousness and discomfort, which is what a person would feel if they knew they were missing something as important as God in their lives.
Ms Spurr says “Alfio is a gifted young artist and we will definitely be seeing more of him in the art world in years to come. It has been awesome watching him grow over the last two years. I admire Alfio’s artmaking practice. He is willing to learn and takes on advice in a mature fashion. His passion extends far beyond the classroom and he spends time experimenting and learning about visual arts.”