Claudio Campana

Scagliola maker

©Marzia de Tavonatti

©Monstera Lab

Marble effect

Claudio is one of a few artisans using the scagliola technique
Scagliola is a Baroque technique imitating marble with plaster
His artworks are a combination of tradition and modern design

Claudio Campana is an illusionist. His creations look like they are made of marble, but in fact they are not. "My technique is called scagliola and uses a mixture of plaster, natural pigments and animal glue to imitate the better-known, more expensive material," he explains. The technique was very popular in Baroque and Rococo architectures for stairs, columns and walls, but fell into disuse at the beginning of the 19th Century. Nowadays scagliola artisans are just a handful and quite protective of their secrets. But young Claudio who discovered this art while specialising in Artistic Moulding in Turin was fortunate enough to meet a generous master. "Mauro Patrini was one of my professors at the European Centre for Restoration in Thiene, where I studied in 2020," he says "He taught me everything I know."

Interview

©Monstera Lab

©Marzia de Tavonatti

What is the scagliola making process?: Once you mix them together, the plaster, pigments and glue harden and become a sort of dough with veins. The dough is sliced and its pieces are put together to obtain the desired object, which is then sanded and grouted in several stages and eventually polished to a high sheen.
Is your technique different from the traditional one?: I work with moulds, which is something that scagliola artists don’t normally do. And I use non-conventional colours like bright pink and blue and acid yellow. Even if the result is similar to marble, it’s not a slavish imitation: it's something new and contemporary.
What makes your craft special?: The striking contrast between the marble-looking material and its colour, which has nothing to do with marble. This arouses curiosity and interest. Moreover, scagliola has mainly been employed in architecture, while I use it for design objects of everyday use, like table mirrors and chandeliers.
Where do you get your inspiration from?: From fashion, design and social media. My prismatic table mirror, for example, comes from the small knob on top of moka pots. That’s why I called it Alfonso, after Alfonso Bialetti. Geometry is pivotal: recently I’ve been focusing on edges, which are very stimulating, next will be curves.

Claudio Campana is a rising star: he began his career in 2020