Cut and Paste: The Collage Art of Antonello Silverini

I’ve expressed in the past how I have long admired the work of collage artists who can put together divergent media and make them work as one cohesive piece. This interesting cut-and-paste method of art doesn’t seem to be as popular as it once was, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover the cool, interesting collages of Italian artist Antonello Silverini.

Based in Rome, Silverini has been an important part of the Italian art scene for many years, having worked as a commercial illustrator before turning his attention to newspapers, magazines and books. He’s also a big presence in the always vibrant Italian film movement, and is heavily involved in the graphic look of many Italian film festivals and movie posters, and much of that work is presented here.

Like many collage artists, he creates his work from a base that begins with a simple sketch. He then he fleshes out the work with collage and acrylics and completes them digitally. In his work, Silverini mines a diversity of subject matter, yet his cut-and-paste style remains distinct throughout. While there’s a Francis Bacon-esque unease to some of his work, it still retains a sly, wink-of-the-eye playfulness and a romantic style not unexpected of an Italian artist.

Ladies and gentlemen, la buona arte di Antenello Silverini!