Antonio Petracca
dal 26/3/2015 al 23/5/2015
Segnalato da
26/3/2015
Antonio Petracca
Italian American Museum , New York
The art work in this exhibition is solely about his musings, memories and viewpoints concerning Italian immigrants and Italian Americans. Some of this art incorporates little known and historical facts.
"Who do you think I Am?/Chi pensi Che sono io?" is a mini-retrospective selected
from a larger body of work begun in 2002. Although the artist has made art based
on other themes, the art work in this exhibition is solely about his musings,
memories and viewpoints concerning Italian immigrants and Italian Americans. Some
of this art incorporates little known and historical facts. The rest is more playful,
poking fun at himself and Italian Americans in general for their susceptibility
to tolerate and accept stereotypical, often derogatory depictions of themselves.
Petracca asks..."Is it okay to lampoon our looks, mannerisms, religious ceremonies,
importance of food and family? Since our immigrant precursors arrived at these shores,
others have tried and partially succeeded in distorting 'who we are and what we
do.' It's your choice to recognize this as a problem or to dismiss it. My mission
simply is to provide the viewer an opportunity to consider and reflect on these
issues. If one is inspired to learn more about the history of Italian immigration
and the Italian American story, then I am most rewarded!"
Antonio Petracca graduated from R.I.T. with a Masters degree in 1969. He is the
recipient of several awards including an MTA Art for Transit grant and a C.A.S.T
grant from Cornell University. Public Collections include the International Museum
of Photography at the George Eastman House, New York Historical Society, Museum
of the City of New York, the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum and Memorial Art
Gallery and Museum in Rochester, NY. He is listed in Who's Who in American Art.
The Kim Foster Gallery in New York City and Oxford Gallery, Rochester represents
him.
Image: Naso Romano, Oil on canvas on wood, 23 x 23 inches
Press Contact:
Joe Carella, Joseph J. Carella Associates Inc.
Italian American Museum
155 Mulberry Street
(Corners of Mulberry & Grand Streets)
New York, NY 10013
Museum Hours of Operation:
Saturday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday, 12 NOON to 6:00 PM