Art on the Aeolian Islands

Natural beauty, volcanoes and mesmerising seascapes

They may be tiny but the cultural heritage of the UNESCO World Heritage Aeolian Islands, a tiny archipelago off the coast of Sicily, certainly packs a punch.  This may be partly because, as in Sicily, the history of the islands sweeps back over centuries, from Neolithic times through to Greeks and Romans. But the backdrop of enthralling mythological stories, dramatic volcanic landscapes and raw natural beauty also inspire art and culture in the extraordinary Aeolian Islands, attracting a vibrant creative community to their shores. Bewitched by the islands’ nature and Mediterranean light, local artisans on the Aeolian Islands are together creating a unique artistic legacy that is, in so many ways, linked to the landscape in which they live.

How the Aeolian Islands inspire creativity

Locally sourced materials are a key component of creative inspiration on the Aeolian islands. Artists use lava stone and pumice to craft jewellery and decorative objects, and the use of carved obsidian, or volcanic glass, for jewellery is a longstanding Aeolian tradition. Wood, and specifically briar and olive wood, also features in traditional Aeolian island craftsmanship. As in Sicily, age-old ceramic traditions still feature prominently in the production of brightly coloured tiles and pottery.

Sculpture on the Aeolian Islands

Sculpture on the Aeolian Islands is inextricably linked to the islands’ landscapes and traditions. On Stromboli, sculptor Salvatore Russo’s exquisite lava stone creations are crafted in a garden studio, and set among fruit trees in the shadow of the volcano. This is plein air artwork at its best! Today, Russo’s works are exhibited in public places and elsewhere off the island.

The catalyst to Russo’s journey into the world of art was Lorenzo Reina, a Sicilian artist and sculptor who is best known for his Teatro Andromeda in Sicily. In 1986, Reina was commissioned by the owner of the Hotel Sciara to create a sculpture using material from the beach. The transport of that material – a large rock – by local stonemasons, Russo and his father, proved to be a pivotal point for the two men. First, Salvatore’s father, and in turn Salvatore, turned to sculpture.

Galleries and cultural centres on Sicily’s Aeolian Islands

In spite of the pocket-sized nature of the Sicilian archipelago, several of the islands feature contemporary art galleries which provide an excellent source of Mediterranean art inspiration. On Lipari, the Cristine Balarine Art Studio is a small studio that displays exhibitions by local and international artists. Also on Lipari, the Archaeological Museum has a permanent ‘Mare Motus’ exhibition, with works by Italian and international contemporary artists.

Meanwhile, on Salina, amaneï, is a non-profit cultural centre that extends residencies to artists, researchers, curators, musicians and writers. Housed in a late 19^th century palazzo in Santa Marina Salina, the centre is actively involved with the local community, hosting exhibitions and installations.

Over on tiny Filicudi, the Studio Casoli is a significant contemporary gallery in Pecorini a Mare, founded by Sergio Casoli. Previous exhibitions here included the works of acclaimed painter Peter Doig and photographer Giovanni Gastel.

Photographic themes on the Aeolian Islands

Unsurprisingly, the extraordinary light, island sunsets, coastal cliffs and palette of volcanic colours is a major inspiration for photographers. The islands’ geology, and particularly the volcanic craters, lava and fumaroles on Vulcano and Stromboli draws landscape photographers, and minimal light pollution attracts those keen to capture the starry skies of Stromboli. Daily life on the islands – for example, the fishermen, harbour life and local architecture – is a popular theme too.

Meeting local creatives on Stromboli and Salina

Our Art Retreat painting holidays on Sicily’s Aeolian Islands involve several workshops in Salvatore Russo’s garden studio but we also get the chance to meet with other local creatives. Icio Omegha, also known as Maurizio Aghemo, is an artist and musician based on the island of Stromboli. His small gallery exhibits a selection of works by others as well as his own paintings which are heavily influenced by Stromboli’s volcano and extraordinary landscape. He is also a talented musician, playing the guitar, sitar and keyboards.

Tanino Cincotta, Salina

On Salina, we dive deeper into the island’s artistic traditions with local artist and photographer, Tanino Cincotta. His work, too, centres around the island, intimately portraying everyday scenes of life and the locals on Salina, and the island’s natural beauty. Alongside his photography, Cincotta uses locally sourced materials to create sculptures and objets d’art, some of which can be seen at his L’Occhio di Salina workshop and gallery in Malfa. His photography has been displayed in various locations around Italy, including Varese, Turin, Padua and Rome.

Chiara Metelli, Stromboli

Other creatives include architect, designer and ceramicist Chiara Metelli, well known for her rustic handcrafted ceramics inspired by the landscapes of Stromboli. Having studied architecture in Rome, Metelli has a workshop on Stromboli where she creates hand-decorated pieces with colours that evoke botanical and marine life on the island. You can find her work in boutiques and galleries in Rome, Stromboli and Salina.

Pippo Caffarella, Salina

Another local artist and poet is Pippo Caffarella whose work is closely bound to his connection with nature and his roots. Born in Malfa, Salina, Caffarella’s unique art style includes the creation of unconventional pieces on unusual surfaces such as old doors and weathered wood. The artist is also recognised for owning the house in Pollara, originally owned by his grandparents, where parts of the 1994 film Il Postino were filmed.

You can find out more about our art and painting holidays in Sicily and the Aeolian Islands, and the artists we work with, here.