Biography

Wolfango, an Italian artist born in 1971, has always been deeply inspired by the beauty of nature and the hardworking ethic of his grandfathers, one a farmer and the other a timber merchant. Growing up in the rural Piedmont region of Italy, he was surrounded by natural splendour and the determined spirit of his forefathers. His passion for art was nurtured by his old “maestro” Leone, who recognised his innate talent and encouraged him to explore his creative side.

Just as Wolfango’s artistic journey was beginning to take shape, his idyllic childhood was abruptly shattered when his father’s business went bankrupt, leading to the traumatic loss of the family home. In search of direction, Wolfango decided to attend seminary in the early 80s with the goal of becoming a missionary, following in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi. It was here that his art teacher discovered his natural talent and suggested that he pursue art school.

Wolfango studied at Liceo Artistico, where he met the teacher who would become his mentor, the enigmatic artist “Giugi” Testa, who instilled in him a passion for creating dynamic and expressive works. Later, he studied Architecture at University in Turin but ultimately left without graduating, as he was called for military service which he refused on grounds of being a conscientious objector.

It was during this time that he met his future wife, Jessamine who was working in Italy at the time. Their relationship would become a source of inspiration and support throughout his artistic journey. With her encouragement, he began to explore his own artistic voice, and by 1995, he had begun creating his own paintings.

In 1997, after a year away from his love, he decided to move to the UK and join her there. Despite the challenges of adjusting to a new country, Wolfango persisted in honing his craft and supported himself by working as a designer while continuing to work on his paintings.

His early work was heavily influenced by expressionism, but as he continued to grow as an artist, his work evolved and became more refined and polished. He has exhibited his work extensively and established himself as a respected and accomplished artist. His journey as an artist has been deeply personal and he continues to be inspired by the beauty of nature, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring power of love. In addition to his artistic pursuits, he also tutors art classes at Seasons Art Class.

Wolfango holds a BSc (Hons) in Natural Sciences and an MSc in Earth Science with Distinction and is a member of the Buckinghamshire Art Society and the Institute of Physics.

Personal Statement

As an artist, my passion for visual expression has been shaped by my diverse background in both fine art and architecture. My early training in the 1980s was heavily influenced by the secretive artist “Giugi” Testa, who taught me to approach art with a sense of experimentation and intuition.

After honing my skills through hands-on experience working in the studio of Daniele Fissore, I began to develop my own style of painting in the mid-1990s. My works were heavily influenced by expressionism, and I sought to capture the dynamic energy of everyday life in my brushstrokes and gestural mark-making. My colour choices were bold and dynamic, more concerned with the emotive impact of the work rather than strict adherence to realism.

As my career progressed, I began to refine my approach to painting, paying more attention to traditional techniques and adapting my palette to create a sense of depth and realism in my works. Despite this evolution in my style, my brushstrokes remain energetic and confident, imbuing my paintings with a sense of movement and vitality.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to share my work in many exhibitions, and I continue to evolve as an artist, constantly pushing my boundaries and experimenting with new techniques to create works that resonate with the viewer on a deeper level. In addition, I have a passion for teaching art and sharing my knowledge and skills with others. I believe that art has the power to inspire, heal, and transform individuals and communities. My art is a reflection of my experiences and emotions, and through it, I hope to connect with others and inspire them to see the world in a new light, while also helping them to develop their own artistic talents and abilities.

Selected Exhibitions

2023 LIGHT & REFLECTIONS – QUEENS PARK ARTS CENTRE, AYLESBURY, UK

2023 SAA ARTIST OF THE YEAR – ESPACIO GALLERY, LONDON, UK

2023 OXFORD ART SOCIETY OPEN EXHIBITION – OAS, OXFORD, UK

2023 ONE WORLD – OBSIDIAN ART GALLERY, AYLESBURY, UK

2023 OPEN ART EXHIBITION – DISCOVER BUCKS, AYLESBURY, UK

2023 BUCKS ART SOCIETY SPRING EXHIBITION – BEACONSFIELD, UK

2023 CAPTURING THE WILD – FITCH & FELLOWS GALLERY, THAME, UK

2022 Bucks Art Open Studio – Aylesbury, UK

2016 BuCKS Art Society Exhibition – Beaconsfield, UK

2015 Little Solo Exhibition – Queens Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury, UK

2015 Buckinghamshire County Museum – Aylesbury, UK

2015 Bucks Art Open Studio – Aylesbury, UK

2015 BuckS Art Society Exhibition – Beaconsfield, UK

2000 NAPA Open Exhibition – Durham Art Gallery, Durham, UK

1999 Artissima 99, Arte Moderna e Contemporanea – Palazzo Nervi, Turin, Italy 

1999 NAPA Open Exhibition – Black Sheep Gallery, Hawarden, UK

1999 Solo Exhibition – CAFÈ SOMETHING, Oxford, UK

1998 NAPA First Annual Open Exhibition – RBSA, Birmingham, UK

1998 FIRST Solo Exhibition – ST HILDA’S COLLEGE ART FESTIVAL, Oxford, UK