The Fourth and Fifth Edition

•December 4, 2012 • Leave a Comment

four n five
“Thumbprint Drawing Number 1″ and the study of “Homo Heidelbergensis”

After the success of the previously released editions, having sold out of the first 2 and being well on the way with the third, Rossettoink in collaboration with print maker Chris Robertson of La Press Du Chat Perdu(formerly of Moniker Designs)is proud to present to you our Fourth and Fifth editions. “Thumbprint Drawing Number 1″ and the study of “Homo Heidelbergensis” have now been released in Edition numbered 1-100. As both works are owned in private collection these unique reproduction allow individuals of the public a chance to own them. Printed in limited numbers and signed by the artist to ensure authenticity and uniqueness once these silk screened works are gone they are gone. Even if the images where to be released again the format will be changed ensuring the originality of these pieces.

To ensure maximum VALUE to those looking to invest the works have been priced as such.
1-10 120$
11-45 65$
46-100 35$

hot animalrossetto-delamontange
“Hot Animal” and “De la Montange” previously released sold out editions

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IMGA0013
How a set of three editions might look on your wall (editions are aprox 19.5 x 25.5 inches

WHILE QUANTITIES LAST we will be offering the last of the “Heaven and Earth” Editions (not shown here due to DOCUMENTATION DIFFICULTIES) as a Bonus to anyone who orders BOTH NEW EDITIONS. NUMBERS are LIMITED and when possible all edition numbers will coincide. Contact me at rossettoink @ gmail.com for more information.
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skull

Interview With Bangladesh Artist Anand Gupta

•November 6, 2012 • Leave a Comment


Anand Gupta

One of the mind blowing things about Facebook is you never know who you will meet, Anand Gupta, friended me about a year ago, after months of contemplation and after seeing he was an artist I added him and my life has been richer with knowledge since. I have made some more friends through his contact and learned about the Porapara Artist Run center which opened its doors in 2004 and has help artist in Bangladesh” with a mission to provide basic logistical, mediation and production support for emerging artists.”

So here with some help from Abu naser Robbi are some questions for Anand

Q/ What type of political and social climate do you live in?

A/ It is a growing economic country call a “developing country”. It is liberal and multicultural, there are 14 different “tribal groups” Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Buddhist and other religious people with a good coexistence

Bangladesh is an agricultural country. With some three-fifths of the population engaged in farming. Jute and tea are principal sources of foreign exchange. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned enterprises, inadequate port facilities, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Economic reform is stalled in many instances by political infighting and corruption at all levels of government. Progress also has been blocked by opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested interest groups.
Now the Government leads by a 14 party alliance and the prime minister is Shakh Hasina, they are trying to reform the government structure to materialize a dreamy plane for digital Bangladesh.

Their envisionment is For higher GDP growth, investments in both public and private sectors all which will need to be accelerated. The prevailing political and economic stability has greatly encouraged investment in the private sector. The trend of foreign direct investment is very encouraging.

The government is committed to market economy and has been pursuing policies for supporting and encouraging private investment and eliminating unproductive expenditures in the public sector. A number of measures have been taken to strengthen, the planning system and intensify reforms in the financial sector. The present government believe is that wastage of resources is a far greater obstacle to development than inadequacy of resources.

It is common knowledge that many development efforts in the past years turned into exercises in futility because of inefficiency and corruption in high places. Terrorism was allowed to paralyse law and order. Administration was over centralized at the cost of local government institutions. The government has, therefore, decided to decentralize administration in the quickest possible time.

The newly-elected BNP government, led by Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA, has the parliamentary strength to push through needed reforms, but the party’s level of political will to do so remains undetermined.

Population below poverty line: 35.6% (1995-96 EST.)

Q/ Is there Government aid for people?

A/None

Q/ Are there grant programs for artist?

A/Yes we have some, 1000$ price prize for artists … In some yearly exhibitions, which arranged by Government patronized “Shilpokola Academy”

Q/ What inspired you to become an artist?

A/We had a HQ print poster of “Mona Lisa” in my Childhood, I was inspired by that poster to become an artist

Q/ How does art history as I know it (mostly European based) affect your work?

A/Yes, in our academic and non academic carried a colonial inheritance from Europe. We also have folk tradition on art.
You can find some information about contemporary artists on fineartsbd.

Q/ Name some Artist that inspired you?
A/Rembrandt
Van Gogh
Dali … They r the common of everyone… : )
Jatin Das (India)
Jainul Abedin …
Francis Bacon … basically inspired me …
Sir Eduardo Paolazzi (pop)
Kosuth
Christo When I saw him I thought WOW!!! He is the BOSS!!! I admire him greatly.

Q/ Who are some Bangladeshi artist, both Historical and contemporary that we should know?

A/ Jainul Abedin was the father of art in Bangladesh our art history started with him. Kamrul Hasan, S.M. Sultan ,Aminul Islam also influenced me!!!


Zainul Abedin’s Famine 4 1943

They are the Historical Artists, they were Traditional, major Contemporary artists now are Mahabubur Rahaman ,Taioba Begam Lipi, Abu naser Robii


Mahabubur Rahaman

They are real Contemporary artists because of their diversity in art. They practice in every sector of visual arts as well as performing arts. Also Dhali Al Mamun, Shisir Bhattacharjee,Yasmin Khan,Nilufar Caman. There are also many other young mid career artists doing well with their work and activity in visual arts field such as Ronni Ahamed, Imran Hosain Piplu,Monjur Ahmed,Suva Rafiqul, Sarnali Mitra Rini,Yasmin Jahan Nopur, Lucky Barua, Ripon Saha, Arifujjaman, Palash Vhattacharjee, Rashidul Hasan Sarif, Sarod das, Jainal Abedin, Afsana sarmin Jhuma,

Searching for Missed Mystery of Happiness – Abu Naser Robii from Andang Kelana on Vimeo.

Q/ What is the art market like in Bangladesh, are there lots of Commercial galleries? Is there a Contemporary Art Gallery in the city capital?

A/No there are very few commercial Galleries in Dhaka (Capital city). The Art market is not very organized and it is very hard to survive as a freelance artist in Dhaka and Chittagong .We don’t have any contemporary art gallery or Museums in our Capital or in our other city. Only the Bengal foundation has reached a collection of art about Bengali Artist but most of them are the older artist’s works.

Very few artists do, most are struggling to be involved with artwork 100%. Most others are surviving by some Design job or teaching.

Q/ Do you survive strictly of your artistic endeavors?

A/Oh, I m working as a graphic designer and I’m an Illustrator. We are sustaining on a stormy sea … my 3rd position is craft teacher (Part time).


Anand Gupta’s” Senseless Individualism “

Q/ What are your hopes for arts in the future of Bangladesh?

A/Hope? We are dreaming of a good infrastructure of art market which will help our artistic exploration to march with the world contemporary realm of arts. We wish to be updated and run with the world with our artistic contribution. We shall over come some day…..!!!(as answered by guest Abu naser Robii)

If you would like to learn more about art in Bangladesh and the artist run center follow this link. I think you will find the more we are different, the more we are the same. I was just at the sight and found some really great images of prints from their 2009 print making camp. Check it out. And a special thanks to Abu naser Robii and Anand Gupta for taking the time to answer these questions.

Porapara Artist Space

https://sites.google.com/a/nam.am/porapara/home

for more info on art in Bangladesh

http://www.artisttrekker.com/2009/12/a-brief-history-of-art-in-bangladesh/

The Artist’s Studio: Interview with the Artist’s Daughter!

•November 2, 2012 • 1 Comment

Here is an interview with the Artist’s Daughter. I was hoping it would give a clear idea of some of the trials and tribulations of being an independent artist while having to raise a family. I also thought it might give a clear idea of things in my practice as I adjusted through trial and error.As a society we are often enamored by those who those who suffered while creating great works of art. As example the stories of Vincent Van Gogh,Gauguin , Egon Scheile, Modigliani all created MASTERPIECES during their struggle to create one thing we fail to realize is the consequences it might have had on their family. It is something we gladly omit from their legend. You see for along time I was set on being a “starving romantic Artist” and well it worked. Which was great until I had my child. At which point being dedicated to my trade took a lot more gumption and sacrifice than I could have imagined. We rolled through the diversity and my child experienced more poverty than I could have imagined. All the time I believed the sacrifice was for greater gains tomorrow so I continued working, believing it would benefit her and society better than if I just took a “REAL” job. I was hoping that this interview might address some of the realities we went through while I focused on my vision, I was hoping it might give some insight into the fact the only people who were hurt during my sojourn were those I loved.
Regardless of what happened or what we might have endured I just kept working and working trying to make my way through the darkness(and I can realate very well to what Van Gogh says into the linked video clip). Then one day as if by magic life got better than it had been in the entire eight years of her existence. I found a job that would accept me as I was and allow me to work on my practice if I chose, I had always been willing to work my dedication to my practice had warped me and my frustration brought out all my bad traits as often happens when one is in difficult circumstances. Through it all she rolled like a warrior. She kept a positive mental attitude and mostly she believed. I demanded a lot and she continually preformed that includes when we lived without electricity for four months and when asked what she thought of it all… she stated “It was great…kindda like camping” How is that for a PMA. There where periods where I knew her belief started to fade luckily kids are incredibly resilient. So although I was hoping to show some of the difficulties of raising a family as an artist or being raised by an artist, that is not what this video portrays. Please believe me when I state this little girl you see has seen her share of hardships. What I think this ended up showing is what I believed art was about, which is the power of the human spirit and the power to overcome. Which as a father is the best gift you can ever give to a child. Some of the answers you have to be on the inside. Like the time I was teaching a fighting class outside and a weirdo came a little to close to my daughter fer my comfort at which point I responded by tearing of my shirt ala Hulk Hogan and challenging the man to a fight to the death.
So this how my child has responded to growing up with a mad genius as a father. I know we still live WELL BELOW the POVERTY LINE and if I think about it it wasn’t too many months ago she was sleeping on a mat on the floor with the dog, she is still insistent on sleeping with the dog at least they sleep on a nice big bed now. I am also well aware of how RICH OUR LIVES are now.Having gone without makes living with much more bearable having also halted my path of self destruction saves time , money and grief. It’s a true RAGS to RICHES STORY without the riches…. YET. AS fer art I can’t say when I will create next (I guess if you thought about it I am creating right now). I am pretty comfortable with the body of work I have created to this point and right now I am too busy living life. I know in my heart of hearts my legacy will be honored and more importantly I know my daughter has the strength to create her own.

PS (I raised her as a bohemian so when it was time to rebel she would shoot for the straight and narrow.).

here are works and notes I believe give a little more insight into who she is


a note she wrote me her first year of school


Her version of one of my works for an assignment about artists


a note I found in my pocket once


A picture of OUR castle

The Artist’s Studio : INSTITUTIONALIZED

•October 12, 2012 • Leave a Comment

So over the past couple weeks I had some people ask me where I have been and what I ave been up to. Truth is I thought that once the fall art season started I might be a little more inclined to hit the books, get some drawing done and go see some shows to review. Well although I been invited to a lot of shows and had a far bit of time to do some art I have been occupying my time in other more fulfilling ways. Usually round this time of year I am happy to lock myself away in a dimly lit room spending hours toiling over thoughts ideas and images. This year it just hasn’t happened yet. I guess I am having too much fun working and the majority of the rest of the time I find myself with my daughter or working out. Art just no longer seems to be my priority. no matter how hard I try and make it I am just other places these days. I think alot of it has to do with being BORED of the ART WORLD. Art has ALWAYS had an INSTITUTIONAL side to it. As a matter of fact MOST GREAT ARTISTS and WORKS OF ART were created going against the grain. In the NEW WORLD ORDER though it seems to be something else though. Since 9/11 the art world has become more and more corporate. It’s almost like a cookie cutter formula to success and something I want nothing to do with.

The formula goes like this take some art classes in high school apply to college or university until you get in. Leave your individuality at the door get molded into what THEY SAY ART IS . Graduate with your B.F.A. Take your “MASTERS” apply for the right grants and competitions become a teachers aid if your lucky it will lead to some sortta semi permanent teaching position maybe even ten year. Impress the right people in the right places with the right words and maybe you will be given a show based on whats written on your resume. Regardless of whether you have artistic vision and talent or not.

And that is all fine and DANDY, but after 20 years in the game, the system can pretty much KISS MY ASS because if it was producing works of art that where exhilarating and mind blowing I would be impressed. Unfortunately it is not though. There are only a hand full of artist that end up doing so and in reality they would have created great works regardless. The rest is ALL FILLER based on IDEAS the GREAT ARTISTS had 30 to 150 years ago now with Bells and whistles. It is kindda like the B-side of an album. there might be a couple gems if you are dealing with an uber talented band in general it’s put there to fill space.
The truth of the matter is that more spontaneous and original things happen to me on Sunday night at the bar I work at than most of what I see in the galleries. I might even go so far as to say working at the bar fills me with many of the things I was looking for in the art world. WILD SEX, we got it, STIMULATING CONVERSATIONS on what’s happening in the world, we got it , CREATIVE MINDS, We GOT THEM TOO.
So I guess this goes out to all the “pretty” people AKTING like their work is new, relevant and has something important to say. We seen it, we heard, we are not impressed. it it all looks like you are attempting to make a BRAND. Back in the day we use to call them series. Brands in the creative realm happen organically. you can’t force bad ideas on the populous they will only buy them for so long and even then they know your lieing. A guy like Shepard Fairy got to where he is cause he followed his own vision not because he followed a formula he was told too. So this goes out to the last of the poets and true bohemians we are always free. Your cooperate cookie cutter ideals won’t stop creation regardless of how long you hold us out. here are some words of wisdom and some of my latest drawings from “The Book Of Skulls” both of which have been acquired in to private collections.




OH YEAH and one last thought

More Rossetto Portraits

•October 4, 2012 • Leave a Comment


pen and ink on paper 1999

I have been a portrait artist since I began my career. It is a SKILL that is absolutely ESSENTIAL for any budding artist. It teaches all the basics needed in composing a good creation: depth, proportion, tone as well as expressiveness through mark making. The best thing about it is ball you need is a mirror. here is a small portion of portraits I have created over the past fifteen years, most of these are owned in private collections.


oil on paper canvas 2010


blue tooth 2009 oil on canvas


Pencil 2003


pen on paper 2005ish


oil on panel 2010


oil on canvass 2009


pencil Drawing 2011


http://rossettoink.com/2011/03/04/rossetto-portraits/

The Artist’s Studio: Lost Work: The Book Of Revelations

•October 2, 2012 • Leave a Comment

These are works of art I created before it was fashionable to have digital copies of work and upload them on the internet. Maybe at the time it may have been the norm for tech savvy types, in general when you where looking to document your work you kept a portfolio of slides. Created in 1998 and 1999 these works where given to my father the year I moved to Montreal and had been left in storage since. Recently during my fathers latest trip to Canada I asked him if he could send me some works for documentation purpose. I wasn’t sure what to expect as it had been a decade since I flipped through the pages. I had a memory that there where significant works. when the book arrived I was overwhelmed with emotion as not only did I see my history laid out before, I also stepped back through the history of my creations. I was Honored and humbled by the images that greeted me. Honored that I had created such a body of work over so many years ago and humbled because these works represented the beginning. taking a look back on 15 years of work can be striking for anyone. I find myself wondering now what’s next as one chapter closes and now a new one opens. the great thing about letting go sometimes is that suddenly there are endless possibilities. Looking back on these works I can see that these where works created by a boy. As my work has matured the content and reasoning behind my creation has changed. as I look towards middle age I know my work will change again. I know I will keep creating because it is in my nature, what I will create I am unsure of. I never planned my body of work like that. I may have never become as “famous” or as well recognized as I thought I may have by this point. I have become an artist 1000x better than I could ever image. That is a reward in itself and I will always be humbled by the works I created. As I never believed a “dumb kid” like me could have created the body of work I have. All images shown are owned and the property of Luigi Rossetto.


Unfinished Line drawing 99


portrait composition created playing with word drawing


Atlas Shrugged


Pretty Girls and Blue Balls


Totem

The Artist’s Dream :A Note from the Artist’s Journal

•September 23, 2012 • Leave a Comment


image found at The Hare Krishna Movement

When I was a boy and lived in my parents basement I had a ritual, it consisted of lighting candles turning off all the lights and listening to records. I use to listen to the works of great artists and poets and let their imagery take me places I had yet to go. I dreamed of living the experiences they sung about, being the places they had gone, seeing what they had sung and loving who they had loved. Tonight I relived the experience. It just so happened I had been given a a candle, it was raining outside and had been a “somber” day. I was in no mood for the distractions of TV or movie. I guess I wanted my imagination to fly freely. I had a Leonard Cohen album that I hadn’t listened too in sometime. With out thinking I put it on to enjoy some tranquility. As I sat there with my child and dog, I was taken back to that place I had lived in on so many nights before. I was taken on a similar journey I had been taken on before many years ago. This time it was some how backwards. As I listen I remembered the places I had journeyed too and from, I remembered the people I had met, the stories we had “sung” , the things we believed we might be. One side of the record ended I put on the other. I thought of the girl who had introduced me to this album. I wondered where she lived now and where her journey had taken her. I remembered how free she was how she had shown me I too could be free. I remembered the gifts of music we shared, I remember the love. It touched my soul and I wept openly. I was thankful I could give these songs to my child. When the next side of the record was over I found Neil Young’s “Harvest”, It took me to being a little older I remember a drive in the river valley with a guy I barely knew it was the first time I had heard the album. I had lost my lover and my dear friend, as both had moved. I will always remember the yellows and reds that hung on the trees as we rounded the bend. I can see the image clearly to this day. I remember wondering what life experience it would take to write words with such meaning. I remember thinking the guy who was driving me was a true poet, I wonder if he ever filled his books with verse and if he did whether he stopped. The next songs I played where from Janes Addiction, I skipped the ones I would have heard in the club and went straight for the ones who reminded me of an angel I had chased for years. We had loved each other when I think of her now a chill runs down my spine. In truth we had loved each other since we where children. I thought of all the times I had “tried” to be the artist I believed would keep her. Our love affair ended like so many of the songs I had just listened to. Tragedy. Tonight I realized my life’s journey had mirrored the stories I had read and dreamed of from a very young age. I looked back from the present and realized the stories of the lives of the people I had admired where much like mine. I had always thought they lived in mansions and rolled in limousine. When I was young I had never thought about the difficulties of their true life’s journey. The ritual tonight was the same but different instead of going to all the places I wanted to go I went back to all the places I had been. Saddened by the losses I had suffered I was comforted by the knowledge I was the man I had dreamed of and had taken the journey I had believed I had said I would. The road looked far different than I had believed so did the destination. I leave these words of poetry like those who came before me for someone to read on an autumns evening who dreams of things beyond them. There are still places greater than you and I have dreamed. I hope these words prove it.

 
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