After 24 years of painting, Tony’s work has found its place, with him completing 100 paintings annually.
Tony Calsaferri recently sold his paint palette. The buyer wanted to acquire Tony’s palette simply because it was a work of art, with his paint piled high like small piles of single-coloured pancakes. His work has become popular and could be closely linked or likened to ‘pop art’ for some. Many homes in Coromandel Town and the surrounding area have a Tony Calsaferri on their wall. After 24 years of painting, Tony’s work has found its place, with him completing 100 paintings annually.
His colourful, creative pieces are well-liked and ‘becoming’ to interior decoration strongly influenced by Central American style and flair. Tony’s artwork is all about bringing colour into people’s homes and wanting to increase the energy vibration of the person who views his work. “The colours are the bright colours, the colours of the rainforest, the colours of the Mayan culture,” says Tony.
A master of quotes, Tony has lived an unusual life. “Stop and smell the roses”, “Seek solitude and learn to be silent”, “Plant seeds”, and “Life doesn’t get easier, only more beautiful” are a few unique gems of wisdom. He first qualified as a civil engineer, then pulled out of the international corporate lifestyle to travel and surf.
“Stop and smell the roses.”
Living a bachelor’s dream, he travelled to Guatemala, where he carved hardwood supporting a sustainable community eco-tourist venture on a Mayan ruin overlooking Lake Peten-Itza near Tikal.
Malaria would bring him back to New Zealand, and he would then return to Guatemala.
Eventually, the third bout of malaria brought him back home, and what ensued was a surprise.
Tony started painting, creating a style based on Mayan glyphs and symbols, which then became a lifestyle.
His work is colour therapy, and his studio, covered with his colourful works, seems to fit perfectly, a style and vibrancy that spells a certain rhythmic and qualitative education of higher learning from an ancient civilisation.
“Seek solitude and learn to be silent.”
“Maya script is the most sophisticated and highly developed writing system in the pre-Columbian Americas. The civilisation is also noted for its art, architecture, mathematics, calendar, and astronomical systems”. Tony is right into all of these things.
To view Tony Calsaferri’s work and watch his interview with Coromind, click here.
This summer, Tony will also be exhibiting his work at Coromind ArtWorks in Whitianga, located at 14 Coghill Street, alongside Genevieve Morley and Caitlin Moloney. The opening night is on 21st January, featuring live music, food trucks, and drinks. The exhibition runs from 21st January to 1st February.
Click here to see more of Tony’s artwork.
Words by Genevieve Morley
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