Luca Peppoloni

Metalworker

©Luca Peppoloni

©Daniela Costi

Even rust can be art

Luca learned his craft from his father and grandfather
He has exhibited in Italy and abroad
His inspiration is Etruscan civilisation and the artist Alberto Giacometti

Luca Peppoloni describes his craft and life in the small Italian region of Umbria: “My story is made of Chiona village’s stones, Mount Subasio’s flowers and Etruscan iron. My sculptures are like relics or shipwrecks. Time, with his signs of passing, is present in every piece I make.” He specialises in the technique of iron’s oxidation and corrosion and has developed different ways of colouring the metal. Peppoloni grew up in a family of smiths, and has followed the footsteps of his father and grandfather. “The old family workshop was near my home and even when I was a student, I always had the opportunity to stop by, observing the work and participating myself.” Today his forge, L’Officina, is one of the most renowned atelier of the region.

Interview

©Luca Peppoloni

©Luca Peppoloni

Did you choose this job to continue the family’s tradition?: Actually, I started this line of work in order to be financially independent. But I became very inspired by the beautiful region in which I live. Spello, my town, has been called a City of Art since the glorious times of the Festival Dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, in the 60s and 70s. We have had artists from all over the world visit our little shop.
Is your region your main inspiration?: Definitely. I made my first pieces by inserting oxidised iron flowers in the stones that I found on Mount Subasio and along the streams near my home. Furthermore, I have always been passionate about history and I try to relate my style with the artefacts of Umbrians and the Etruscans.
Have you mastered any specific techniques?: Mainly I use the same ones that my father and grandfather taught me, I work a lot with wrought iron and I particularly appreciate the process of oxidation and corrosion. The rust is the iron’s memory.
What do you love the most about your craft?: The process. Choosing the stones, cleaning the iron corroded by rust and guessing how a pebble and a piece of metal can become an artwork. I love crafting something beautiful and long-lasting with my own hands. For me, well made means creating a piece that evokes amazement and admiration.

Luca Peppoloni is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1990