Foreword
It is my honour and
privilege to know Renato Costrini both as a colleague and a friend. We
began working together in 1998 but it was two years later when he first told
me that he did some painting in his "spare time". This did not come as a
complete surprise to me as a mutual friend had already mentioned Renato's
"hobby" and had encouraged me to take a
look at his work if ever I had the
chance.
What I find significant about
these two events is both the time it took Renato to decide to share his
paintings with me and the fact that I first heard about his work from
someone else. For me they epitomise Renato Costrini the artist.
He does not use his art to
promote himself. Through his works, whether it is a painting, a drawing or
a piece of sculpture, we are invited to share with him a moment in time.
There is a secret there to be discovered, a truth to be understood, but as
the artist he seeks merely to create the mood in which we are able to
appreciate it for ourselves.
In the serene tranquillity of
his landscapes, the joyous spontaneity of his nudes and the knowing gaze of
his portraits, he does not judge, he does not question, but he is not afraid
to confront the enigmas of life. In his attempt to open our eyes to
universal truths, he presents us with a series of visual images which are
frequently soothing, sometimes provocative and occasionally disturbing.
Renato Costrini has a joy for
life and an eye for beauty which are reflected in both his choice of
subjects and his vibrant use of colour. To all his works he brings a
relentless honesty blended with gentle humility and infinite sensitivity.
The end result is a work of art which delights the eye and stirs the soul -
what more could we ask!
(Anne Armstrong, York, UK - February 2002)
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