Open Studio #5... Luca Lettieri
Luca’s multi-disciplinary practice spans from ceramics to wood working.
Multi-disciplinary artist, Luca Lettieri uses his formal training in fine furniture making, as a spring board to explore new materials and forms. From unexpected furniture pieces to sculpture and painting, his practice is driven by experimentation and informed by his unique way of interpreting the world around him.
Photos by Vanessa Heath.
Can you tell us a little about your background?
I trained as a furniture maker and had a relatively formal background as an apprentice for Jardan, followed by a few years spent in shared workshops in Melbourne making commission work. After a few years in that space I wanted to further my knowledge and skill set so I applied for a place at the Sturt School in Mittagong, NSW. Here, I was fortunate enough to be taught by some of Australia’s best studio furniture makers and learn the more traditional aspects of furniture making, cutting a lot of joinery by hand and making our own tools to execute those skills. I was also concurrently able to access some of the other disciplines that Sturt offered like ceramics, weaving and jewellery. I was able to find ways to combine multiple mediums into the work I was making at the time. In 2018 I was fortunate to be accepted into JamFactory’s Associate program which provided amazing mentors and friends across multiple studios, as well as access to a range of machines that helped me to develop my own aesthetic sensibilities and direction for my work.
“I love learning new techniques and will usually pick a material that will allow me to gain a new skill whether it be welding or slip casting, etc., and eventually that will generally become the catalyst for a new work.”
You’re quite diverse in your choice of material. How does this diversity inform your practice?
I usually tend to experiment with materials early on without much of an idea of a finished piece, this usually results in small maquettes that sit in the studio and seem to reappear in works later on. I love learning new techniques and will usually pick a material that will allow me to gain a new skill whether it be welding or slip casting etc., and eventually that generally becomes the catalyst for a new work.
Luca in his JamFactory based studio.
A myriad of materials and experiments occupy Luca’s studio.
Shades of blue.
Luca’s sculptural works are informed by tradition, both in the educational and cultural context.
How are you staying inspired right now?
I was fortunate to undertake a fellowship in late 2018 which allowed me to travel to multiple cities in Italy, Copenhagen, Berlin, and Paris to investigate rural folk art and craft traditions not easily accessible in Australia. During my time in Campagna, Italy, my father’s birthplace, I was exposed to a rich tradition of naïve painting and ceramic work which still serves as a big inspiration. I also love referencing and being inspired by paintings. Recently artists Ellsworth Kelly and the Danish painter Vilhelm Lundstrom have been big inspirations.
“During [a trip to] Campagna, Italy, my father’s birthplace, I was exposed to a rich tradition of naïve painting and ceramic work which still serves as a big inspiration.”
How do you like to spend your time outside of your studio?
I really love to cook, and spend a lot of time cooking peasant Italian recipes that my Nonna taught me which are specific to Southern Italy. Other than that I try and get up to the hills for walks and paint on occasion.
What’s next for you?
I’m really interested in making some wall hung works and making some large scale sculpture pieces which further explore some of the themes I have been investigating.
I would love to do some overseas residencies as well, once that becomes an option again!
