Alessandro Sarra on Painting, Politics, and Rhythm

Alessandro Sarra, born in Rome in 1966, discusses his artistic journey, influences, and views on painting in an interview. He began with ceramics at an art institute in Pesaro before turning to painting. His solo exhibitions include "Progetto per una gita su Marte" at Caffè Internazionale, Palermo (2017), "Pesiemisure" at Studio Mancini, Rome (2016), and "Bada al senso e i suoni baderanno a se stessi" at Frutta Gallery, Rome (2013). Group shows include "Moto ondoso stabile" at Sara Zanin Gallery, Rome (2017), "La teoria della nuvola" at Galleria Marcolini, Forlì (2016), and others. Sarra cites Piero della Francesca's "Flagellation of Christ" as the most contemporary painting, and admires Brice Marden, Christopher Wool, Carla Accardi, Afro, and Antonio Corpora. He views abstraction and figuration as conventions, and considers drawing a daily practice disconnected from painting. He describes his work as a "writing of colors" and emphasizes the political nature of painting as a slowing-down gesture in a fast-paced society. His 2013 solo show "Appunti per la rivoluzione" focused on painting's revolutionary nature. Sarra notes that painting today means the same as always: making and selling paintings. He speaks highly of the contemporary Italian painting scene.