My current subject matter has emerged both out of curiosity and necessity. As a visual artist and art educator, I have witnessed how the crowds obstruct the view of my students as they attempt to draw at Piazza Navona, for example. Entry to museums must be booked months ahead of time. Dozens of artist friends are escaping to the country to avoid the hoards. My reaction has been to document and embrace this historic moment. Tourism is not new to Italy, and proportionately, tourists have always had an impact on the local population. Yesterday´s tutors and guides of the wealthy Northern European upper classes of the Grand Tour are today´s tour guides, study abroad programs, and tour operators, albeit now on a magnified scale.
Why do traders, soldiers, artisans, academics, pilgrims, diplomats, and students of art and religion continue to come to Italy? Is there a common thread uniting visitors of the past with XXI c. tourists? How has this changed?
My large mixed-media drawings and paintings explore the connection between these past and present phenomena.
