Original artwork description:

The story of Rome’s sanpietrini—its iconic cobblestones—is deeply woven into the identity of the Eternal City and, in particular, into the tradition of pilgrimage. For centuries, these small stones have literally supported the footsteps of pilgrims from all over the world. Resilient and functional, they played a vital role in easing the journey toward Rome’s sacred sites.

My artistic project, "The Other Side," was born from a desire to reveal the soul of these humble basalt cubes by sculpting faces onto their surfaces—faces that embody spiritual witnesses, like stone angels who have silently accompanied and supported the countless travelers passing through the city.

Just as pilgrims make their way across great distances with devotion and sacrifice, the creative process mirrors that same spirit of commitment: carving basalt—a material both hard and unyielding—to release the human emotion held within is a slow and meticulous task, one that requires patience, perseverance, and care. Each face, polished to a smooth finish, symbolizes a purified spirit.

The very act of sculpting becomes a spiritual journey in itself: a path marked by effort, time, and dedication. The artist becomes a pilgrim, undertaking an inner voyage to transform rough stone into surfaces that are smooth, almost ethereal—inviting to the touch. The contrast between the coarse exterior and the polished faces speaks to the journey of transformation: from hardship and struggle to serenity and revelation.

"The Other Side" is more than an artwork—it is a spiritual experience. It invites viewers to reflect on the depth of Rome’s history, to physically touch the emotions etched into the stone, and to feel a connection between themselves and those who came before.

Materials used:

Basalt, Sanpietrini of Rome

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