Tribute to Gaber

Coloured Pencil and Ink Pen on Paper

60×40 cm / 23.6×15.7 in, 2019

Available – €850

Tribute to Gaber is the first calligram I ever created.

Even before the drawing itself, the work began with the search for the texts. I wanted to build a portrait that could bring together the best-known Gaber, the one I felt closest to, and the one who, through his words, seemed to come closest to the person behind the public image.

Giorgio Gaber was an Italian singer-songwriter, playwright, and performer, and this was also the first work in which I understood how different the construction of a calligram was from that of a traditional portrait. Around the eyes, nose, and mouth, short lines are needed, because the features are thinner and do not always allow for longer phrases. Each word has to remain readable, while also helping to build the likeness of the face.

I feel particularly attached to Gaber for this reason as well. This is the portrait that laid the foundations for all the calligrams that came after.