Diego Cusano: Surrealist Illustrator Merges Objects and Drawings

Italian visual artist Diego Cusano, born in 1986 in Piedimonte Matese (Caserta), Italy, currently lives and works in San Gregorio di Catania, Italy. He earned a Bachelor's in Visual and Performing Arts (Painting specialization) in 2009 and a Master's in Visual and Performing Arts (Graphic Arts specialization) in 2013 from the Academy of Fine Arts Pietro Vannucci in Perugia. Cusano is known for a unique style combining real objects with hand drawings to create surreal, narrative illustrations. He describes himself as a 'fantasy researcher.' After graduating, he lived in Perugia and Carpi (Modena province) before traveling extensively to Myanmar, the United States, Lapland, and elsewhere. He believes travel fuels creativity and influences his work. His artistic drive stems from a desire to transform reality, making the ordinary extraordinary. He critiques the art system as elitist and calls for more accessibility, humanity, collaboration, and visual education, while removing superficiality and empty competition. He supports professional associations to help isolated artists. Cusano has collaborated with brands, publishers, and television projects. His themes include fantasy, nature, animals, and transforming everyday objects. Future projects include immersive experiences combining illustration, television, installations, and live events, as well as educational programs for children on creativity and conscious eating. He cites nature as his greatest teacher.