Francesco Stile

The aluminum tray evokes a makeshift boat, fragile and worn. The black grapes—symbols of abundance and life—also suggest mourning and danger because of their dark hue. In art, black is often linked to death and mystery, heightening the sense of drama. At the two corners, green grapes stand out: green, a symbol of nature and renewal but also of greed and prosperity, becomes emblematic of the smugglers. Dents, reflections, and shadows underscore the contrast between vulnerability and profit-driven exploitation.

Hyperrealist that transcends perceived reality. Trained in Carlo Roberto La Volpe’s studio, he refined an exceptional painting technique, recreating portraits and still lifes with photographic precision. His use of light and shadow imparts striking three-dimensionality and emotional intensity. Exhibited in national and international galleries, Stile is recognized as the first conceptual hyperrealist. He experiments with oil on canvas to explore the boundary between reality and representation.