Meet Lorenzo Fontanella

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorenzo Fontanella.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started? 
Hi everyone, my name is Lorenzo, an art speker. I am from Italy and grew up between the cities of Pavia and Milan. Growing up in Milan, which is known for being Europe’s graffiti capital, profoundly shaped my artistic path. I was drawn to the rebellious nature of graffiti; I loved seeing my name up on the walls; it gave me a sense of pride knowing I was doing something different from the rest of my friends. At age 12, I really got into it, and since then, it has allowed me to express myself freely in public spaces, and that’s how my artistic path began. The combination of spray paint and urban landscapes became my canvas for self-expression, and it still is. 

After studying industrial mechanics in high school, I decided to take more seriously my passion for art. Over time, also thanks to my experience at Art Center College of Design, where I am still enrolled, my skills and vision matured, leading me to explore different art mediums than just spray paint, such as acrylics, oils, and digital illustration as well. 

Throughout the years I took part in many graffiti festivals in Italy, Spain, USA and I am planning to travel again this summer to attend many Mural festivals around Europe. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Reflecting on my journey, I can acknowledge that there were occasional hurdles along the way, although none significant enough to leave a lasting impression. From a young age, I had a clear vision of my passion for graffiti, and this unwavering determination often translated into stubbornness. My single-minded focus on graffiti led me to disregard anything not directly related to this art form. While I sometimes contemplate whether I should have been more open-minded, I now recognize that this way of thinking was also my greatest asset. It allowed me to channel my energy and become completely immersed in honing my craft. By eliminating alternative paths, I fortified myself against setbacks, ensuring that minor obstacles never derailed my progress. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work is heavily influenced by graffiti and the passion for realism. Anytime I sketch something on paper, digital, or anything at all, In the back of my mind, the question: ‘Will this fit as a mural?’ is always present. I am always on the look for a compelling story to illustrate. Most of my work is indirectly influenced by my life, meaning that almost all of my pieces start with an idea, a story, a concept, or a metaphor that I want to express, and this doesn’t have anything to do with me, but it works like therapy. Along the process, I connect aspects of my life and my experience to the artwork I am doing, and that helps me understand things about myself that I simply wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. As for what I specialize in, I think it’s still a little early in my career for me to label myself into a style, but for the past 4 years, I have been working mostly with portraiture, figures, and animals, all realized with high contrast and tight realism. During the last year, I’ve started to experiment with these elements but with the addition of graphic elements, which I integrate into my designs. The skill of reproducing with spray cans in a large scale, I’d say, is my strength, and the things that sets me apart from others are the fastness in which I do so and the high quality. 

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe that my love and obsession for graffiti art have been essential in shaping my journey. My passion for this art form was never driven by any expectation of reward but rather by the desire to immerse myself fully in its world. I approached graffiti with the commitment to give it my all, pouring my heart and soul into every piece I created. This dedication was not motivated by external validation or material gain but rather by an intrinsic need to express myself authentically and to push the boundaries of my creativity. The more time I spent into the art form, the more my fascination only intensified, creating a need to continually improve and innovate myself. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.speker1.com/contact
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speker_1?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==