Luca Gasperi: artist: tending life

In "Tending Life," the viewer may feel that they are looking at a series of period pieces. We live in the age of machine-intensive farming and agribusiness, and here on a modern Caribbean island, much of the "fresh" produce purchased in supermarkets comes in refrigerated trailer containers from distant California. These paintings of farmers bending over to pick sprigs of herbs in a garden, hoeing a row of vegetables or selling their produce at the local market seem quaint and scenic, like posed postcards from an 1800s scrapbook of the West Indies.

"Parsley" (detail) watercolor, 12 x 16"

	:: RECENT WORKS :: tending life
recent works latest show late afternoons tending life resumé biography articles commissions contact Tending Life solo show Maria Henle Studio St. Croix, USVI January 14 - February 2 2000	In "Tending Life," the viewer may feel that they are looking at a series of period pieces. We live in the age of machine-intensive farming and agribusiness, and here on a modern Caribbean island, much of the "fresh" produce purchased in supermarkets comes in refrigerated trailer containers from distant California. These paintings of farmers bending over to pick sprigs of herbs in a garden, hoeing a row of vegetables or selling their produce at the local market seem quaint and scenic, like posed postcards from an 1800s scrapbook of the West Indies. "Parsley" (detail) watercolor, 12 x 16"
	These realistic watercolor paintings are not studies in nostalgia, or at least that is what the artist is hoping to remind his audience. "Too many people buy their food shrink-wrapped and processed. Meanwhile, farmland is being sold for housing development. People are losing the opportunity to have some connection with the land and an understanding of where their food comes from," says Luca. "I hope that these paintings of local Cruzan farmers will remind people that they have a choice." The "Tending Life" exhibition explores the relationship between nature and farmers, which are two of Luca's primary artistic subjects. Farming is intrinsically dependent on Nature, and cannot survive without a respectful and reciprocal understanding of her needs. Organic farmers, working on a smaller scale, know that nature is not an endless resource but one in need of rest and replenishment. "Tending Life" documents and celebrates the work and passion of contemporary farmers on St. Croix. Luca sees agriculture as part of our living heritage and believes that buying locally grown food is supporting the arts, for growing food is both art and science. He hopes that his work will engender discussion, respect and support for agriculture on St. Croix. Coming soon: online portfolio of "Tending Life." Read a review of Luca's work by the Bermuda Sun. Visit the official website for the Bermuda Atlas & Gazetteer, a book that Luca has designed and illustrated.