MINO DI SUMMA
1. Could you please describe what you do in one or two sentences?
I’m a street artist and I paint on walls and roads, my purpose is to move people and give positive sensations “for gift”.
2. Why/ How did you start doing street art?
I paint in the street because I like to paint, but also because I feel free, I'm nobody, nobody knows me, it's as if I remove all the masks that society often imposes to us and I reveal my real essence, the love for art. We give emotions for gift, it's not a joke.
3. How old were you when you painted a mural for the first time? What did you paint?
It’s not a long time that I start to paint on the walls. Since 2001, I started to make street art and I was only 15. I started by chance to do “madonnaro”, it means, I paint the Saint on asphalt with chalk, during the day parade in Salento (Puglia – south of Italy), my homeland. This art was then developed and events are organized internationally. I've been to Mexico, France and Florida. Who’d have thought? Thanks to this art, I have the opportunity to confront with the greatest international artists and to learn new languages like Spanish and English, I think ... I won some prizes, modestly! For some years I have realized murals outside, and I have to say that I am very pleased, I offer everyone the opportunity to enjoy an artistic work. For me is the chance to implement my skills as artist and as architect.
My first murales was about the Turkish invasion in 1547 in a city, the story looks like a nursery rhyme painted on the walls of a primary school, but from that murales my style changes a lot.
4. How many walls do you paint a year?
It depends, there is no a specific number. Of course my purpose is to realize more and more, in order to satisfy my hunger for painting.
5. Where have you painted?
I painted in Italy, Mexico, France and Florida.
6. What made you want to become a street art artist?
My passion for the painting and the desire to make publish my artworks, so that someone else might enjoy them and also for people that maybe should enter in a museum. Therefore the contact with people during my work is beautiful.
7. What had the most impact on your style?
I think my roots doing freeartfriday. I needed something that was quick to paint, small, impactful, emotionally reaching. That’s where my cans came from. A mistake with a can led to me painting a bhurka can. That led to a bhurka canvas with just eyes and that led to a four year interest in eyes.
8. What do you like to do during your free time?
I like to paint seascape with my lovely colors box and tripod, like the italian 1800s artists.
9. Can you tell me what it’s like for you when you paint a wall?
Freedom of execution, of mouvement, is like I don’t paint only with hand but with all my entire body, and soul.
10. Where do you get inspiration for your artwork?
I analyze the culture and history of the city or territory in which it isperformed, drawing stories, legends or meanings to which the locals are linked.
11. What does street art mean to you?
My purpose is to move people and give positive sensations “for gift”.
12. What had the most impact on your style?
The "great" painting, that one of the great masters. Based on the study of the true subjects, whether figures, landscapes or anything else, the goal is to steal the soul or the atmosphere of the place.
13. What do you wish to accomplish with your artworks?
Il mio obiettivo è continuare a dipingere muri sempre di più, in quanti più paesi possibili, perché desideroso di conoscere nuove culture, luoghi e persone, e confrontarmi artisticamente con chiunque.
(Translation: My goal is to continue painting walls more and more, as many countries as possible, because I am eager to learn about new cultures, places and people, and artfully confront me with anyone)