Artist, Blacksmith, Sculptor
Nicola Giovanni Battista Cuppari
Nicola Cuppari, also known as Nicola Giovanni Battista Cuppari, was born in Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Calabria, on February 5th, 1964. From a young age, Nicola developed a deep passion for life, despite facing numerous challenges and hardships that left a significant mark on his upbringing. His parents' divorce at the age of eight brought him closer to his paternal grandparents, fostering an intimate bond with them. However, his adolescence was marked by feelings of loneliness and abandonment due to the loss of his grandmother to illness and his mother's departure.
Despite the difficulties, Nicola faced life with determination, refusing to be overwhelmed by events and accepting all the nuances of existence. After attending a two-year course in applied mechanics at a vocational school, Nicola embarked on various manual and seasonal jobs, including bricklaying, laboring, waitering, pizza-making, and painting. Upon reaching adulthood, his father encouraged him to leave home to become strong and independent. Nicola decided to venture out, seeking job opportunities more aligned with his interests and aspirations. His first experience as a welder in Imola was not fulfilling, but he persisted in the steel industry, becoming a self-employed craftsman at the age of 23 and working for various companies as an external worker on complex and important projects.
After five years, Nicola became a successful professional and opened his workshop in Faenza, employing his own staff. This achievement allowed him to purchase a villa in a picturesque rural area of Romagna, showcasing the success and dedication he poured into his artistic career.
Nicola Cuppari's path took a crucial turn when, at the insistence of his friends, he participated in the exhibition of renowned artist Andrea Raccagni in Castel San Pietro. Raccagni's works captivated him to the point of transporting him to a new and unusual inner dimension, evoking profound reflections on the power of emotions triggered by art. This episode marked the beginning of his artistic journey.
With humility and no expectations, Nicola began experimenting with iron, creating three-dimensional paintings to adorn his home. Despite harboring a sort of jealousy toward his own masterpieces, his friends, upon visiting his villa, noticed the extraordinary iron art pieces characterized by interplay of light and shadow that gave life to three-dimensional effects. Encouragement and recognition from his friends made Nicola perceive the path of art as an opportunity for redemption and personal satisfaction.
In 2008, Nicola launched his personal website www.arteeferro.eu, with the assistance of a marketing expert who convinced him of his potential as an artist sculptor, transcending his identity as a blacksmith. The opportunity to exhibit his three-dimensional iron paintings at the Modigliani Gallery catapulted him to fame, attracting the attention of renowned actor George Clooney, who selected him to create a unique gazebo for his Italian villa at Villa Oleandra, on Lake Como.
The recognition garnered through this prestigious project opened doors to new important clients, with requests for gazebo creations at exclusive resorts, hotels in Italy, Switzerland, and Monte Carlo. His works have also been admired at Villa Ruffelli in Ariccia, a historic and prestigious location, as well as at the Hotel Palace in Merano, frequented by illustrious personalities like Berlusconi and Ronaldo.
Today, Nicola Cuppari continues to create unique and original works of art, experimenting with ironworking techniques that captivate the observer through interplay of light and shadow, conveying all the hidden emotions behind his extraordinary artistic creations. His passion for art and constant search for new artistic expressions confirm his talent and dedication in the world of iron and steel art.