Pietro Ruffo studied Architecture at the University of Rome and then got a research fellowship at Columbia University, New York. Pietro has exhibited his work widely including at MACRO and MAXXI Museums in Rome, Berlin, Paris, London, New York, and Moscow.

In 2009 he was awarded the Premio Cairo and the New York Prize by Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2011. His artist residencies have included The International Studio and Curatorial Program, New York, Civitella Ranieri Foundation, Italy and Nirox Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa.

His work is part of the collections of the museums of contemporary art in Rome (Macro) and Bologna (Mambo); the Deutsche Bank Collection (Frankfurt), Fondazione Pastificio Cerere (Rome), Fondazione Giuliani (Rome), Depart Foundation (Rome, L.A.), Fondazione Guastalla (Switzerland) and Lodeveans Collection (London). Galleria Lorcan O’Neill Roma has showcased Pietro’s masterpieces since 2006.

1. How does art influence you? -Who/What ignites your creative instincts?

For me, art is a tool to reflect on the contemporary world, to analyze history and great themes like freedom.

2. What defines your work?

My work stems from an interest in some political and social issues. As a scholar, I analyze these issues and then I realize my work, which then becomes a social analysis.

3. Describe your creative process.

I was trained as an architect, so all my work is very designed and divided into a long process, using pencil and paper cutouts to think about social or Historic issues.

I enjoy working in a team and divide the creative process in different stages, and then work in groups to create the definitive work.

3. Comment on the use of art to convey emotion. How do you achieve it? How it is made effective?

Art becomes a tool for thinking and to suggest others to think. As an artist,  when I make a piece, it is as if I were doing a question, more than to give a solution on a given theme. Then the work becomes a question mark open to the world.

4. Why and how did you get involved in the Art Biennale?

I was invited by the Italian embassy in Colombo, by Giandomenico Milano. The theme of the Biennale – ‘MAKING HISTORY’ is really interesting to me and perfect for my work.

5. Is there a particular genre you specialize in or follow when painting?

I'm interested in any kind of art, I really like to visit artist studio, and discover their techniques and try to get into their world, Art is a big thrill for me every time.

6. What impact do you intend to create through your work?

The impact I want to create with my work is one hand a vision, I'm very interested in the subject of art as a higher expression of human creativity.

On the other hand, I'm interested in the conceptual impact of the work, what makes me and the people who see my work to make questions about the world around them.

7. What media do you use when painting? What are some of the challenges you face when using particular media?

In my work, I have always been interested in the use of paper. Paper is a very interesting tool, because it is born as a fragile material, but giving it a shape becomes it becomes very powerful. If we think about, all our history goes through paper.  

I'm very interested in large-scale installations or large paintings using paper, by drawing, painting and carving it.

8. If you were to take someone on a tour of art at its best across the globe, what places would your list include?

Making art, I had the opportunity to work in different parts of the world from New York to Johannesburg, from Miami to Paris, from Russia to Asia.

Maybe I'd choose Rome first of all because it is my city and I love it very much, I love ancient history and how this city is also becoming a contemporary city.

Then comes New York where you have the opportunity to see and learn about the most famous artists of the world and finally India where the emerging art scene has an extremely interesting new energy.

Pietro Ruffo studied Architecture at the University of Rome and then got a research fellowship at Columbia University, New York. Pietro has exhibited his work widely including at MACRO and MAXXI Museums in Rome, Berlin, Paris, London, New York, and Moscow.

In 2009 he was awarded the Premio Cairo and the New York Prize by Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2011. His artist residencies have included The International Studio and Curatorial Program, New York, Civitella Ranieri Foundation, Italy and Nirox Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa.

His work is part of the collections of the museums of contemporary art in Rome (Macro) and Bologna (Mambo); the Deutsche Bank Collection (Frankfurt), Fondazione Pastificio Cerere (Rome), Fondazione Giuliani (Rome), Depart Foundation (Rome, L.A.), Fondazione Guastalla (Switzerland) and Lodeveans Collection (London). Galleria Lorcan O’Neill Roma has showcased Pietro’s masterpieces since 2006.

1. How does art influence you? -Who/What ignites your creative instincts?

For me, art is a tool to reflect on the contemporary world, to analyze history and great themes like freedom.

2. What defines your work?

My work stems from an interest in some political and social issues. As a scholar, I analyze these issues and then I realize my work, which then becomes a social analysis.

3. Describe your creative process.

I was trained as an architect, so all my work is very designed and divided into a long process, using pencil and paper cutouts to think about social or Historic issues.

I enjoy working in a team and divide the creative process in different stages, and then work in groups to create the definitive work.

3. Comment on the use of art to convey emotion. How do you achieve it? How it is made effective?

Art becomes a tool for thinking and to suggest others to think. As an artist,  when I make a piece, it is as if I were doing a question, more than to give a solution on a given theme. Then the work becomes a question mark open to the world.

4. Why and how did you get involved in the Art Biennale?

I was invited by the Italian embassy in Colombo, by Giandomenico Milano. The theme of the Biennale – ‘MAKING HISTORY’ is really interesting to me and perfect for my work.

5. Is there a particular genre you specialize in or follow when painting?

I'm interested in any kind of art, I really like to visit artist studio, and discover their techniques and try to get into their world, Art is a big thrill for me every time.

6. What impact do you intend to create through your work?

The impact I want to create with my work is one hand a vision, I'm very interested in the subject of art as a higher expression of human creativity.

On the other hand, I'm interested in the conceptual impact of the work, what makes me and the people who see my work to make questions about the world around them.

7. What media do you use when painting? What are some of the challenges you face when using particular media?

In my work, I have always been interested in the use of paper. Paper is a very interesting tool, because it is born as a fragile material, but giving it a shape becomes it becomes very powerful. If we think about, all our history goes through paper.  

I'm very interested in large-scale installations or large paintings using paper, by drawing, painting and carving it.

8. If you were to take someone on a tour of art at its best across the globe, what places would your list include?

Making art, I had the opportunity to work in different parts of the world from New York to Johannesburg, from Miami to Paris, from Russia to Asia.

Maybe I'd choose Rome first of all because it is my city and I love it very much, I love ancient history and how this city is also becoming a contemporary city.

Then comes New York where you have the opportunity to see and learn about the most famous artists of the world and finally India where the emerging art scene has an extremely interesting new energy.