Frigoriferi d'arte

Smeg & Dolce&Gabbana

Gianfranco Fiore was born in Switzerland in 1972. He studied at the Monreale Art Institute and the Accademia of Palermo, where he took a degree in Decorative Painting. Among the narrow ancient streets of Palermo’s historic centre he discovered the world of the Sicilian cart and fell in love: he began frequenting the prestigious workshops of the few master craftsmen still in operation and learned traditional decorating techniques from them. He then opened his own studio in Partinico and, with passion and patience, tracked down damaged carts and restored them with the aim of conserving the carts themselves and passing on the tradition. He initiated a series of collaborations with local artisans, creating marvellous carts for folkloric parades and private collections; he also experiments with applying classic cart decorations on other vehicles and design objects.

Enamel and oil, 60 x 151 x 68.2 cm The imagery of this refrigerator are inspired by subjects traditionally painted on the rear parts of the Sicilian cart. The purteddu and the chiavi, respectively the tail board and the crossbars that connect the shafts, are typically decorated with chivalric battles, medallions with effigies of Carolingian paladins and the image of Aurora, the mythological divinity represented on a carriage drawn by winged seahorses. Red and blue crescent moon motifs frame the scenes, emphasising the bright colours. On the top are portraits of two paladins wearing helmets.