Vincenzo Balsamo

Italia's Genius

Vicenzo Balsamo is de facto, Italy's greatest contemporary artist. Dr. von Guntunbergersen, editor-in-chief of the World Art Celebrities Journal stated that Balsamo is the painter of all painters. The Journal elected Balsamo "Artist of the Year" for two consecutive years in 2003 and 2004. Dr. Inga Schuller recognized him as a living legend. Maximillien de Lafayette saw in him an "immortal artist". The London Monthly Herald Herald called him "The Genius of Italy". There is no question, Maestro Balsamo is one of the 10 greatest artists of our time. He transcends time and space. He is humble, friendly, a great story teller, an adventurer, a practical philosopher with funny jokes, and above all a genius. Jayson Meynard, the International News Agency senior art writer and art editor of the Herald interviewed Maestro Balsamo on behalf of the WACJ. So what you read here is a courtesy of our affiliate, the World Art Celebrities Journal/Magazine.

By Jayson Meynard

Photo: Young Balsamo in Rome. His first trip to the capital of the world of arts.

How sweet success is. But, it comes with a heavy price; doubt, fear, perseverance, rejection, incertitude, years of hard work, desperation, immense talent, innovative creativity, competition, persistence, stubborn determination and self-confidence. Maestro Vincenzo Balsamo is a living example of the difficult and sweet moments in the life of a great artist. Balsamo Vincenzo was born in Brindisi, Italy, in 1935. Today, he lives in Verona. He toured the globe and was received as a living legend. He had his ups and downs, highs and lows, but never gave up. He left his hometown on a train heading toward Rome, the capital of the art world. He went alone, unknown with a few Liras in his pocket. In a sense, his trip to Rome is not quite different from the conquest of Ulyssis.  He had to prove himself to the toughest critics and most demanding high society of the Immortal City. The competition was unmerciful.

Photo: Maestro Balsamo, today.

Rome was saturated with world-class artists and the most famous painters of the era. The young Balsamo had to fight all odds. Alone, without a "letter of recommendation" or "introduction from a powerful insider" of the challenging, shrewd, delightful and canning world of art and all its glitzy, vain and arrogant galleries. He had to make it in one way or another. Many times, the young and talented Balsamo, the perfect stranger in Rome  had his doubts and fears, for an uncertain future laid ahead. But, he knew deep in his heart, the Brindisi kid had all the ingredients of a future "grand" artist. My visit with Balsamo will take us back in time to the early days of the "genius of Brindisi". Balsamo talked to us with warmth, candor and friendly wisdom. He shed lights on the difficult moments in the life of an aspiring talented artist. Lessons, we learned from his past experiences. Rays of hope shined through his smile, deep thinking and honest answers. I would be delighted to share with you, my brief visit to the magical but truthful lands of Balsamo, his reflections on life and the art business... Today, Vincenzo Balsamo is a living legend; one of the few and last remaining great artists of the divine and sublime dawn of abstract and cubism cosmos.

WACM: Some forty years ago, you left your town and you went to Roma to explore the possibility of exhibiting your paintings. You were not known yet. It was tough to succeed right away and to become famous. One Italian art critic and historian wrote about your first visit to Roma and about the young Vincenzo." I am imagining him getting sad and crazy and taking the first train back to his village." Do you remember this? How difficult it was for you to become accepted by the high society and critics circle in Roma? How many times, did you decide to go back home and forget all about it?

Balsamo: I was 14 years old when I "moved myself" to Rome. I was living with an aunt in my town . I had made that choice because I was trying  of creating a stable job that would  allow me to live and take care of my family. I have already lost my father when I was 11 years old. I had to abandon my studies  and look for work. I found one at the studio of the painter  Acquaviva, my first true master. And I did not know, back then, that painting would have become my true occupation. Sure I began and continued to paint and to learn the art of painting by  copying landscapes, still lives, "nature mortes", postcards etc. This is how I started...very modest beginning. Sure, I remember what that critic wrote about me when I moved to Rome. It is perhaps true what Ugo Mannoni wrote about my first days in Rome. For a young person like me, it was not easy to break through and enter the world of art from the grand front door. Thanks to some friends and  with the help of Calabrian Michele, the founder of one of the first  art establishments in Rome and magazine Il Poliedro, I was introduced to remarkable Italian schools,  artists and masters like Scuola: Mafai, Scipione, Pirandello, Omiccioli, Monachesi Saints, Vangelli, Afro, Fantuzzi, Guttuso, as well as to poets and writers  I often love to remember: Sandro Pen, Alfonso Cat, Renato Cakes, Pier Paul Pasolini etc. All these acquaintances allowed me to persevere in my career as a painter and exhibit my work in Italy and in many museums in Europe. You can say, friends and contacts helped me take off.

I have never paid attention to critics, to  the "high society" and rich people. I was never part of a vain, rich and superficial society..." said Balsamo

WACM: What happened next?                                                                                           Balsamo: Rome had become my own city. I did not want to return to my hometown. I loved the lights, the life, the colors and the ambiance of Rome. I think my paintings reveal all these beauties and feeling toward Rome. So, in 1959 I opened my first studio on Via Margutta. One year letter, I met my future wife . I settled for a while and short after, I began to contact the most famous artists of the era. Artists like Cesar, Arman, Kokoscka, Hartung, Leger and Picasso. I did it on my own. Also, I began to visit famous galleries and chat with curators, just to acquaint myself with what is going on in arts and art business. You asked me if there were someone from the "high society"  who helped me emerge, my answer is: "I did not want to be the product of the "high society". However, Calabrese Michele was part of the privileged and high society. Being my friend, her social and artistic status did launch my career, I have to admit it. Basically, through Michele, I gained the opportunities  to know many influential painters who lived in Rome and therefore, I was on my way to enter the rich cultural milieux of Italy and mingle with celebrities of the day. Yes, it was Michele who helped me...I did not want to copy any body as I did before, back in my hometown. I had to create my own style., I wanted to find my own artistic identity. The poet Alfonso Gatto, an incredible human being helped me in my quest and creation for Balsamo Style. Cat and other illustrious painters of the era  such as Pieces and Hartung explained to me that finding "what direction I should take in life" is extremely important if I want to succeed as a painter. They told me that I should never copy other artists...Yes, of course, I should always watch what they are doing, assimilate their fundamental concepts. However, learning from them and search for my own identity will ultimately open my mind on new ideas, concepts and techniques. One of their most important advices was this...I still remember it :" Balsamo, Balsamo, you got to experiment, never look behind you, always look ahead, in front of you...And you will see clearer and you will create...". So, as you see, discoveries and experimentation in art are extremely important and necessary to create your own "persona" and artistic identity.

WACM: Who did help you to become known, the rich and high society? Friends? Or important art critics?                                                                                                                      Balsamo: As I have already answered you previously, I have never paid attention to the "high society" and rich people. I was never part of a vain and powerful high status social circle. Vain society is like dead leaves. I was preoccupied with one thought and one single activity: TO PAINT; to experience and  replace arguments with artistic continuation, to find my own world. A world that belongs to me, to my feelings and my visions. After 35 years of hard work and so many sacrifices, starting in1987 with Lyrical Conception to Abstract Art,   I have finally found my dimension. I have not really liked critics. I never asked favors from critics. I was not concerned at all. Luckily,  some influential critics liked and   understood my art. Of course, their art reviews helped my business. But, unfortunately, success and critics' recognition came many years later. Now, for almost 10 years (finally),  I  began to collect important articles and art reviews of my work worldwide. And I am happy, you are one of those "favorable and positive" art critics and writers...

WACM: Who bought your first painting? Who was the first person who ever bought one of your paintings? Do you remember?                                                                               Balsamo: The first client? The first person who bought one of my paintings was Master Acquaviva, and this happened when I held my first public exhibition in1957. Master Acquaviva was affected, touched and pleased to see his student (meaning me!)  exhibiting his work. To me, it was an immense joy and a great honor. I was delighted to see my teacher buying my painting and showing me respect. It meant a lot to me. After all, he was my first teacher. No, it was not the "high society" nor the rich people. Simply, a Master Artist who knew and appreciated real art! Of course, later on, many important clients began to purchase my paintings, some of the work I exhibited at Zizzari and well-known galleries in Rome.

WACM: What was the first thing you did or think about after you have sold a painting for the first time? Did you spend the money in celebrating or did you send the money home?

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