Murals in Italy

The Mural-1, in the “Foro Boario” of Lucca, depicts Sara la Nera – Sarah-la-Kali, first queen and patron saint of the Roma.

On the seashore she awaits the arrival of the two (or perhaps three) Marys at Sainte Marie de la Mer, in Provence. The flamingos in the background, nomadic animals, are a reference to the Camargue, as well as to the nomadism of the Roma and Sinti populations who are deeply linked to this region.

It is very interesting the connection between Mary Magdalene and this holy Roma, which would have been somehow connected to her (in some legends she was part of her entourage, in others she was a queen who welcomed the Magdalene and brought her ashore).

But the figure of this “saint” is very layered, since the name “Kali” and the dark appearance of her face, in a controversial interpretation, would even refer to the Indian goddess Kali.

In the artist’s opinion the ideal of a multicultural society and the overcoming of stereotypes could also be realized through the knowledge of how the various apparently different cultures conceal common traits and surprising connections.

Given the nature of the subject, the artist discussed the realization of his work with young members of the local Roma community.

The Mural-2 and the Mural-3, on the walls of the primary school in Rosignano Marittimo Province of Livorno) were made in collaboration with and among the (Roma and non-Roma) pupils themselves, who also guided the choice of their subject.

The message that the pupils wanted to convey was that of inclusion, through simple images that can be easily understood by everyone, even and especially by children attending the school now and in the future.