Marco Emmanuele (b. 1986, Catania) a Sicilian artist whose practice centres on the transformation of natural materials—particularly sand and glass—into meditative reflections on time, decay, and renewal. Emmanuele’s process is a meticulous one, involving the grinding of glass dust collected from beaches, which he uses to create pigments that shimmer with both light and historical resonance. His work bridges Renaissance techniques with contemporary environmental concerns, engaging deeply with themes of cyclical change and the passage of time. Like Harry Morgan, Emmanuele explores the fragility and resilience of glass, yet his work delves into its origins in nature, using glass as both a literal and symbolic medium to connect past and present. His latest collection for Richeldis Fine Art marks a significant milestone in his evolving career.

Marco Emmanuele (b. 1986, Catania, Italy) is a contemporary artist whose work investigates the intersection of material transformation, memory, and light. Trained in Engineering and Architecture in Catania and Rome, Emmanuele transitioned to art, developing a deeply artisanal and conceptually rich practice. Based in Rome, his studio work is informed by a fascination with materials, ecological cycles, and the poetic resonance of history.

Central to Emmanuele’s oeuvre is his innovative use of glass dust. This material, often recovered from Sicilian beaches, embodies the cyclical relationship between nature and human intervention. Generated from heated quartz sand and transformed into glass objects, these fragments endure journeys through the sea before returning to their original sandy state, smoothed and reshaped by the waves. Emmanuele grinds these glass remnants into powder, recharging them with creative potential as pigments for his works. This transformation from discarded material to vibrant artistic medium is both a practical and philosophical gesture, exploring the interplay between fragility and permanence, creation and erosion.

The ISO series, a pivotal part of Emmanuele’s practice, reflects his conceptual and material preoccupations. Named after the photographic measure of light sensitivity, these works explore the dynamics of light, shadow, and perception. Using glass paste, rabbit glue, and wooden supports, Emmanuele creates textured, luminous surfaces that evoke the iridescence of mosaics and the tactile resonance of Renaissance craftsmanship. His process integrates historical methods with contemporary concerns, positioning his work within a continuum that bridges ancient artistic traditions and modern abstraction.

Emmanuele’s art is marked by a meticulous attention to materiality and a profound engagement with time. His labor-intensive techniques—grinding, polishing, and shaping—require a careful balance of precision and intuition. This tactile process recalls the immediacy of fresco painting, where each moment becomes an indelible mark, resulting in artworks that embody both permanence and ephemerality. The surfaces of his works are textured, irregular, and luminous, capturing the duality of light and darkness that defines his conceptual framework.

A recurring theme in Emmanuele’s practice is the relationship between humanity and the environment. His works often address ecological and existential concerns, using glass dust as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of natural and human histories. By incorporating discarded materials into his pieces, Emmanuele highlights the overlooked and ephemeral, transforming them into enduring components of artistic expression.

Emmanuele’s works are included in notable public collections, including the MAXXI – Museo Nazionale delle Arti del XXI Secolo, Rome, and the Museo d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Anticoli Corrado. These collections underscore the importance of his contributions to contemporary art, where his fusion of historical technique and conceptual rigor offers a singular perspective.