The art and metaphor of Maestro Andrea Roggi
By GIOVANNA G. BONOMO
Photography GIACOMO ROGGI
February, 2025
Tuscan sculptor Andrea Roggi discovered his passion through painting and poetry before finding inspiration in Masaccio’s “The Trinity” at Florence’s Santa Maria Novella, which sparked his sculptural journey. Each creation whether found in a city square or a quiet garden throughout Italy, is more than an object of beauty. It is a conduit, a bridge spanning the ages. As a demi- urge fashions the physical universe from eternal Ideas, so too does Tuscan sculptor Andrea Roggi shape his works from enduring themes. His sculptures are not mere objects, but symbolic expressions of the human quest for meaning and understanding. In this interview, the Maestro invites us to explore new horizons without and within.
The ancient techniques Roggi employs, like the lost-wax casting of the Etruscans, root his work in the deep past of this land. The organic forms, often intertwined figures reaching towards the sky, speak to the universal human yearning for connection and transcendence. But it is in the interaction with the viewer, in that moment of encounter, that the true magic happens. Suddenly, past, present, and future converge. The weight of history, the vibrancy of the now, and the promise of what’s to come – all are held in a single, breath taking instant. This is the real power of Roggi’s art. It is not just sculpture, not just an aesthetic experience. It is a catalyst for a profound shift in perspective. In the presence of his work, we are invited to see ourselves as part of a continuum, past, present and future. In a Roggi sculpture, the past is not dead and gone. It lives on in the curve of a bronze limb, in the play of light across a marble surface.
The present is not a fleeting instant, but a pivotal point between what was and what will be. And the future is not an abstract concept, but a tangible promise, as real as the stone beneath our fingertips. To see a Roggi, then, is to step out of the rush of daily life and into a space of contemplation and connection. It is to be reminded of the ties that bind us – to each other, to our history, to our world, our story – in all its messy, glorious, heartbreaking beauty. Roggi’s art reminds us that we are all part of something greater, something that endures beyond the limits of our indi- vidual lives. It is to touch, if only for a moment, the eternal.
Your artistic journey began in the Val di Chiana district of Tuscany. How has this starting point influenced your perspective on life and art?
Andrea: Growing up in Castiglion Fiorentino, in the heart of Tuscany, profoundly shaped my outlook on both life and art. The deep connection I formed with nature in that environment has been a guiding force in my work. In the unspoiled beauty of the Tuscan countryside, surrounded by ancient olive groves, I learned early on to see beauty in simplicity and to appreciate the delicate balance of the natural world.
This harmony is something I continually strive to reflect in my sculptures, where the organic forms of nature merge with the emotions and stories of human existence. The tranquility and authenticity of rural Tuscany taught me to value the fundamental, the raw, and the enduring. Nature is, for me, the ultimate creator and its cycles of growth, transformation and renewal resonate deeply with the themes I explore – especially love as a transformative force. Living between Castiglion Fiorentino and Pietrasanta, two places steeped in artistic heritage and natural beauty, allows me to stay connected to this grounding influence. It’s in these landscapes that I find the inspiration to create works that speak not only to the eye but to the heart, evoking a sense of unity and timeless connection between humanity and the world we inhabit.
How has your understanding of your own perspective on cultural heritage evolved as your work continues to grow roots across the globe?
Andrea: My understanding of my cultural heritage has evolved profoundly over the years. Initially, my Tuscan roots were a personal and localized source of inspiration...