Venture into the wild and unpredictable world of Claudio Parentela, where art defies definition and creativity knows no limits. Straight from the lively heart of Catanzaro, Italy, Claudio is not just an artist—he’s a relentless force in visual storytelling, seamlessly fusing the surreal with the anarchic and the obscure with the profound. Whether through his electrifying collages, raw illustrations, or experimental photography, Claudio Parentela’s work doesn’t just speak—it shouts, distorts, and demands your attention.
For decades, his art has pulsed through underground zines, literary journals, and contemporary galleries worldwide, leaving a bold and indelible mark on the global art scene. It is a fearless rebellion against the mundane, plunging into a realm where conventional forms clash, intertwine, and emerge as something entirely original and captivating.
In this exclusive interview, Claudio peels back the layers of his chaotic yet deliberate creative process, shares his thoughts on art without borders, and reveals the inspirations that keep his world spinning. Brace yourself—this is art without a safety net.
What first inspired you to pursue art, and how has your relationship with creativity evolved over the years?
I have always known that I wanted to live and breathe art every day of my life. While pursuing art can often be challenging, I firmly believe that everyone should have the chance to follow their true passion and listen to the desires of their heart. About 30 years ago, I began creating art professionally, and I’ve never looked back. Choosing this path wasn’t easy—it was both painful and incredibly rewarding. Still, I am grateful for the decision I made. This journey has been a blend of beauty and challenges, but it is the path I wholeheartedly chose to follow.
Your art is known for its eclectic and surreal style. How does your personal life and surroundings in Catanzaro influence your creative process?
I believe every artist is shaped by their life experiences, and I am no exception. My work is influenced by what I read, the music I listen to, and the countless elements that surround me. I like to think of myself as an antenna, capturing vibrations, ideas, and emotions that travel through the air and the universe. Alternatively, I see myself as a blender, mixing everything—even the most unlikely combinations. I find joy in merging opposites, reconciling things that seem irreconcilable; it’s the creative challenge that greets me every day in my studio.
Catanzaro, the city where I live, has its influence on me—though I experience it little, as most of my time is spent working in my studio. When I do step out, I enjoy taking long walks in the mountains or by the sea, especially in winter, when the sea feels raw and untamed. My art embodies the essence of Calabria—wild, remote, dark, and rugged—reflecting the beautiful landscapes of my region. In this way, I feel deeply connected to my Calabrian roots.
Do you follow a set routine, or does inspiration strike spontaneously?
As I often say, the pursuit of freedom is what drives me to create. A blank sheet of paper or canvas becomes my meditation room—a space where I can dance freely and soar to unimaginable heights. I don’t plan anything; everything unfolds like magic, transforming chaos into a joyful, colorful catharsis.
I deeply love what I do, and when you desire something so intensely and love it so profoundly, planning becomes unnecessary. Everything happens naturally, flowing into a harmonious synthesis.
Your work spans a variety of mediums, from collage and painting to photography and mail art. Is there a medium you feel most connected to, and why?
When I first began drawing and painting “professionally,” I worked exclusively with paper and black ink. For about 14 years, my creations existed solely in black and white. I have a profound love for ink—particularly Black Indian Ink—and the endless shades it offers between black and white. These shades remind me of the countless nuances of the human soul—its contradictions, impulses, and infinite struggles.
Over time, I naturally transitioned to color, almost as if out of a physiological necessity. With color came collage, a medium I deeply cherish for its endless possibilities and the new creative paths it reveals. Collage feels like an immense, never-ending puzzle that continuously draws me deeper into myself.
Photography also became an essential part of my artistic journey. It’s a medium I find endlessly fascinating, and I enjoy experimenting with new techniques and materials every day.
To answer your question directly, despite my exploration of various forms, I feel most deeply connected to black and white—especially my beloved Black Indian Ink. It remains the medium that resonates most profoundly with my artistic essence.
Many describe your art as “obscure and crazy.” Do you embrace this characterization, or do you see your work through a different lens?
Yes, “obscure and crazy” are perfect descriptions—but I would also add words like “freakish, twisted, contradictory, trendy, free, cathartic, and shamanic.”
Mail art has been a significant part of your career. In an era dominated by digital communication, what do you think makes physical, tangible art exchanges so special?
Great question! Art is born from ideas, emotions, gestures, glances, tears, and hearty laughter. Mail art offers a truly wonderful way to communicate all of this. It connects people across distant countries—even in places where freedom is limited—allowing them to share their dreams, love, and daily lives through a drawing or a postcard. Each piece embarks on a journey, passing through countless hands and traveling by plane, train, bus, or car. This process feels incredibly real and tangible.
I adore the texture of paper, postcards, and the canvas of paintings—these physical elements possess a beauty that digital communication simply cannot replicate. To me, mail art feels like dreaming; it lifts you up, allowing you to soar beyond walls and barriers. It has the power to unite people in an extraordinary, colorful, and deeply human way.
You have collaborated with numerous magazines and artists around the world. Is there a particular collaboration that stands out as especially meaningful or transformative for you?
No, absolutely not. I cherish everything I’ve done so far—the people, the artists, the gallery owners, the bands, and the publishers. I genuinely value the exchange, the connection, and the opportunity to meet and collaborate with others. Each person I’ve worked with is unique and special, bringing their own wonderful gifts to share.
Every collaboration has enriched my artistic journey and brought me immense joy. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has played a role in shaping the artist I am today.
With your extensive global reach and presence in diverse art scenes, how do you maintain your unique artistic voice while engaging with so many different influences?
I always strive to follow my heart; my uniquely autistic heart is my one true guide.
Your work often includes chaotic and dreamlike elements. How do you find the balance between spontaneity and intentionality in your creative process?
It always happens suddenly, yet with precision. All my inner chaos naturally falls into place, exactly where it belongs. There is no separation between my external life and my creative process—they exist in perfect harmony and continuity.
My art reflects what I think and feel in the moment—my infinite contradictions and tangled complexities. It’s a fluid, endless process. I find immense joy in this constant movement between the most remote, hidden corners of my heart and the act of drawing, photographing, collaging, or even smearing oil colors across a canvas.
What role does symbolism—such as the Tarot themes you’ve explored—play in your work? Do you see your art as a form of personal or universal storytelling?
Tarot cards—studying them, drawing them—have always been deeply significant to me and my art. I’ve been reading, painting, and exploring them since I was a boy. They are an inseparable part of who I am, both personally and artistically.
My art is an infinite journey, a continuous cycle—much like the endless rotation of the 22 Major Arcana. Every morning, before I begin painting, I draw one or two Tarot cards. I feel completely captivated by them; they have become an essential part of my creative process.
In each of my works, a Tarot card is hidden—woven between the lines, within the colors, and in the contrasts of black and white. Tarot cards and my art are my unique way of existing in the world—perhaps even my only way of truly communicating.
Looking back at your career, what is one moment or achievement that you are particularly proud of, and why?
One moment I am particularly proud of is publishing my first comic booklet, Il Ratto Bavoso, nearly 30 years ago. It holds deep significance for me because, at the time, I was drawing obsessively for countless fanzines around the world. Those fanzines were vibrant, extraordinarily alive, and overflowing with creativity—an era brimming with incredible artists everywhere.
My comics were truly unique—wild, raw, and deeply expressive. They were immediate, surreal, anarchic, and, at times, violent and crude. Il Ratto Bavoso embodies a dream that I continue to carry and live even today.
If you could pass down one piece of advice to emerging artists trying to establish themselves in the international art scene, what would it be?
Always have fun, and remain completely free while staying true to yourself.