Art Destinations

Ep 5: Francesco Vullo on how rocks tell stories of place and self


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In this episode of Art Destinations Sicily, we speak with contemporary artist Francesco Vullo, whose sculptural practice explores the tension between permanence and ephemerality. Born in Caltanissetta in central Sicily and now based in Milan, Vullo reflects on his deep connection to the island’s geology, drawing on childhood memories of rock collecting with his geologist uncle and stories of sulphur miners from his family’s past.

 

Vullo shares how he works with materials like limestone, lava rock, and plastic bands to create poetic installations about environmental fragility, emotional states and deep time. From sculpting volcanic stone in his countryside studio to showing work during Milan Art Week, Vullo balances the very different two worlds.

 

In this episode we cover:

  • How Sicily’s layered landscape shapes Francesco’s art
  • The material, cultural and historical symbolism of sulphur, marble, lava, and limestone
  • The influence of the 1960s / 70s radical Italian art movement Arte Povera on Vullo's approach to materiality
  • Navigating the Italian art world as a young artist today
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    Follow Francesco Vullo’s work on our Instagram page @artdestinations.podcast 

     

     

     

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    Art DestinationsBy Sarah Rhodes and Sicily Art Residency Program (SARP)