Lorenzo Quinn Biography

Lorenzo Quinn studied at the American Academy of Fine Arts in New York and subsequently in workshops and foundries across the United States and Europe. Starting out as a painter in 1982, he soon discovered that a dimension was missing from his works and that he could not offer anything that had not already been offered by other artists before him. Turning to sculpture because of a deep-rooted need to create, he found this medium allowed him to convey his innermost feelings to the viewer; it is, in fact, this direct communication which Lorenzo constantly seeks. He says, “It is the viewer that interests me not the art critic...I make art for myself and the people who wish to come along for a ride through my dreams.” He is inspired by the great masters such as Michelangelo, Bernini, Carpaux and Rodin, and he frequently returns to Italy to gain inspiration and knowledge.

Lorenzo's work is included in many impressive private collections throughout the world, which has lead to a prodigious amount of commissioned work. This includes being commissioned by the Vatican to sculpt the likeness of Saint Anthony, in commemoration of the Eighth Centennial of the Saint’s birth. Lorenzo’s sculpture was blessed by the Holy Father in Saint Peter’s Square before it was placed in the Basilica del Santo in Padua in 1995. He has also been commissioned by the United Nations to produce a stamp for their collection, as well as placing several monumental sculptures throughout the UK and Europe. His ongoing project, ‘The Globe Of Life’ which represents the hundred most important moments in history, looks set to be his most significant work to date, with five monumental bronze sculptures linking each continent. Other than having exhibited throughout the United States, Lorenzo has shown his work in South America, Europe and Asia. In April 2003, Lorenzo’s monumental sculpture, ‘Encounters’, which has been commissioned by Fundatur and donated to the city of Mallorca, was unveiled opposite the Museum of Modern Art in Palma de Mallorca.

Each of Lorenzo’s sculptures is born first in writing, hence the reason why the artist always displays his ‘poems’ alongside each sculpture “because they are a whole, one could not exist without the other. I don’t believe in purely decorative work. It must transmit emotions, it must say something to me and the people that observe it”. He is inspired to sculpt by life's everyday experiences, as well as by poems and literature in general, but especially from observing life’s energy. Savoring life to its fullest is very important to Lorenzo, allowing him to “enjoy the many different aspects of existence.” As a result, each of his works represents a period, an emotion, a symbol.

Lorenzo has managed to absorb and combine all his diverse talents, thus enabling him to develop his own unique artistic style. His work reflects the clear, true vision of an artist who has matured far beyond his years in a stimulating, intellectual environment. It has been said many times that life imitates art; the achievements of Lorenzo Quinn certainly lend credence to this belief.