Meet Anthony Fatato | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Fatato and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’m inspired by you, and me. Do you remember the day you asked how far the universe goes and you got the answer “No body knows.”? I still live in the remainder of that day. I want to know how it all works. I want to meet my maker but not shake their hand or touch their face. I just want to understand what makes us? Current physics describes all molecules as waves and energy in some form. Meaning energy is one thing and presents differently depending on frequency. I think the common perception of molecules/matter is ping pong ball like objects that grouped together amount to a solid thing like our bodies. Parts of our body are 70% to 80% water and we are electric running at 98 degrees. All things above 1 degree Celsius gives off light. So yes, we are glowing electric water beings. Remembering all of this body we feel as solid is all waves and we are on a planet that is spinning rapidly, as well as rotating around a star that is traveling at great speed. I believe grace is the only thing holding us together. To me grace is visible. You see it everywhere. When you pour from a pitcher the stream of water braids in a geometric pattern. The same pattern presents quite plainly on pine apples and pine cones and most importantly our genetic code. My paintings are about love and fear and what makes us smile or cry. I struggle to paint the moment both tangible emotions, tastes, sounds, smells within an abstract that contains us, makes us. I love this struggle and will explore it for a long time. My current show and Patreon series “no dark place” is the illusion of black and white. I think most imagine black and white in absolutes but there is no such thing. You can not experience either absolutely if you are a living seeing person. As I mentioned before, everything over 1 degree emits light. So, even in the darkest place you could bring yourself, you are the light. The paintings explore this idea through metaphysical, mythical and human relational narrative paintings and installations. The Patreon series follows my work and introduces my audience to the people, places and stories that inspire my work. I always ask the same question: What lights up your darkest place? What stories, songs, ideas, people light you up when you are at your darkest? What inspires me most is what lights you up.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It wasn’t, isn’t easy. But easy is relative. I grew up the least privileged within the most privileged communities, so it’s probably easier for me than most. I’ve always operated outside the big gallery system and morally clashed with the elitist pursuit to sell my paintings for blue chip prices. Sure, my work is expensive and branded as blue chip, but also created an educational NPO and a NFT to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. I am most proud of this work as a social practice artist. That is really where I can use the best of what I learn observing and painting nature. I think art itself is very valuable, but it’s done considering the whole tribe in heart, mind and hands it is magic. I am currently producing a show of large scale work called “no dark place.” Some of these pieces I have been considering and composing since childhood. I’m relaunching my NPO the World Education Endeavor, WE Endeavor, www.WE-Endeavor.org and dropping my first NFT in supporting the Ukrainian National Woman’s League of American UNWLA. I’ve organized a group of bright hearts and minds around the idea of making art and ideas that creates social progress: www.anthonyfatatao.com/kingsflow. I’m in a fun moment in my career, manifesting nearly a lifetime of work with bright and creative people.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Sunny’s in Red Hook Brooklyn, The Cloakroom in Harlem, The Daddy Rabbit (it’s a music show), Wo Hop Chinese restaurant, Dim Sum in china town, The Rubin Museum, The Morgan Library, The Whitney Museum, Bathesda Fountain in Central Park, The Drum Circle in Prospect Park, Coney Island

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to Tim Tolka for being a vibrant source of creativity and curiosity in my life, Katina (Hubbard) Mercadante for her powerful leadership both spiritually and professionally, To my Studio Collective making it happen with me, To my patrons and investors for supporting and celebrating my work and my to son Elias for his partnership in life, adventure and making art with me.

Website: www.anthonyfatato.com

Instagram: @anthonyfatato.artist

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-fatato-47147819/

Twitter: @anthony_fatato

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnthonyFatatoArtist

Other: http://www.patreon.com/fatato