Tra Sacro e Profano is an exhibition of 23 paintings and two pieces of sculpture by Sicilian artist Cari Privitera (1971-) organised by the Art Discussion Group at the Cavalieri Hotel, St Julian’s. It will remain open until June 6.
Privitera is a multifaceted artist with considerable talent: decorator, painter, sculptor and restorer. Her classical and academic background enhances her graphic and pictorial powers and she exploits such advantage with bravura and virtuosity.
She loves the old masters and her eclectic nature, nourished by various influences, yearns for excellence in painting masterpieces not as a mere academic exercise or for pure interpretation but to prove to herself and to others her great gifts in design and painting.
Her surrealist past with symbolic undertones has gradually faded into a more physical and sensual naturalism – a personal concept and vision of life around her.
Privitera’s philosophical approach, her humane attitude to life, her love of animals, her compassion, her acute involvement with sculpture, her initial obsession with surrealist and symbolic tendencies and her love of the masters, coupled with her technical bravura are all represented in this varied collection.
The works reveal an artist reaching out towards excellence in an involved, enthusiastic, felt and focused manner.
Privitera was born in Catania in 1971. When she was a child her family moved to Germany, where she lived for seven years.
After her return to Sicily she attended art schools and finally qualified as a Maestro d’arte in architettura ed arredamento and became decoratrice pittorica in the Catania Academy of Fine Arts.
For several years she worked at a restoration laboratory for art objects that enabled her to become a connoisseur of antiques.
She painted with gusto for a long period, and the necessity to create the third dimension opened wide the possibility of experimenting with sculpture.
She applied her knowledge by teaching sculpture through projects and courses she organised in different schools, opening laboratories or workshops for less gifted students and those with different abilities.
She lives in the open countryside near Acireale, in the shadow of the ice-capped Mount Etna.