Federico Severino at the Chiesa di San Vitale Rome

Two and half years ago, while browsing the Franco Senesi Gallery in Positano, my parents and I came across the work of a sculptor I'd never heard of, Federico Severino, born in 1953. The work was passionate and emotional, with movement, and a wonderful rawness and organic nature about. Much of his work in that gallery was based on mythology. 

Come to find out that not only was he commissioned to create an altar for a church in Rome, Chiesa di San Vitale, they were showing additional (more biblical) pieces there, as well. We were heading back to Rome so this was perfect! We also found out he was currently working on another commission at that time ... sculptures for the 12 stations of the cross ... for the Pantheon in Rome!

 

The Altar

Eve ...

Eve looking toward The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!

Uh oh ...

Here they come!

To see videos of his process in making the stations of the cross for the Pantheon, check out these videos. Yes, it's in Italian but it's worth the watch!! :)

To Read Federico Severino's Bio and see more of his work, click here.

To see each of the stations of the Cross that he created, click Here and Here.

I'm leaving soon for Rome and can't wait to see his work in the Pantheon in person!!!

I found this on the Gaiam website blog ... Love the Sufi poet Hafiz!!! 

Somehow it seemed to fit with this man's great art. 

I have come into this world to see this:
the sword drop from men's hands even at the height
of their arc of anger
because we have finally realized there is just one flesh to wound
and it is His - the Christ's, our
Beloved's.
 
I have come into this world to see this: all creatures hold hands as
we pass through this miraculous existence we share on the way
to even a greater being of soul,
a being of just ecstatic light, forever entwined and at play
with Him.

I have come into this world to hear this:
every song the earth has sung since it was conceived in
the Divine's womb and began spinning from
His wish,

every song by wing and fin and hoof,
every song by hill and field and tree and woman and child,
every song of stream and rock,
 
every song of tool and lyre and flute,
every song of gold and emerald
and fire,

every song the heart should cry with magnificent dignity
to know itself as
God:
for all other knowledge will leave us again in want and aching -
only imbibing the glorious Sun
will complete us.
 
I have come into this world to experience this:
men so true to love
they would rather die before speaking
an unkind
word,
men so true their lives are His covenant -
the promise of
hope.

I have come into this world to see this:
the sword drop from men's hands
even at the height of
their arc of
rage
because we have finally realized
there is just one flesh
 we can wound.

~Hafiz

Hope this finds you all happy and healthy!

Blessings and light!

And ...

Happy Holidays!