Teofilo Olivieri has been creating artwork for as long as he can remember. He has always known that this was all he wanted to do which can be, in his view, a good or bad thing. “It can sometimes be like a disease. Drawing and painting was all I wanted to do which meant a lot of years struggling along the way. I was homeless for 5 years at one point.”
His determination and creative desire kept him going; always evolving and changing the art process; searching until he was satisfied with what he was producing basically took him 20 years. Teofilo is finally at a point where he feels the work reflects what he is trying to convey.
The art pieces are created on textiled fabric used as the canvas, blending the subject in with the textile pattern. This effect creates breathtaking work. His work can be seen in Chelsea, on walls of buildings in construction. Everyone stops and stares as they walk by asking him lots of questions and praising him on his work.
That is how he was discovered by an agent just 4 weeks ago. They were in absolute awe of his work and signed him on to do exhibitions.
I too was taken by Teofilo’s work. It took me 45 minutes to choose just one. A Billie Holiday canvas with beautiful indigo blues on a pale blue and gold fabric was the winner.
As I handed in my Billie Holiday canvas today at the framers; I was bombarded with questions on the artist. I think this is further confirmation that a rising star is finally being recognized for his work and I wish Teofilo all the best in his bright future and am sure that he will never have to worry about being homeless ever again.
For more information about the artist and his work, check out his Instagram page @Teofiloart.