AT THE AGE of 15, Andrea

Roggi was already spending much of his time creating art. But his interest went beyond painting and drawing. What really fascinated him was the research, the technical know-how necessary to create a three dimensional piece of art. 

Certainly, he was lucky to have a family who supported him, not a rich family, but parents who were keen to see their only child achieve his dreams, who believed in him and helped him when they could. And, as Andrea points out, his father still helps him today during some stages of his work. 

He was also lucky to live in such a culturally rich part of Italy, Tuscany, home to some of the world’s greatest talents such as Michelangelo.

Inspiring the Artists of Tomorrow

At first, Andrea hardly dared hope that one day he too might become a sculptor, and his focus was on seeing an object realized rather than expressing an idea. Today, as a successful artist, he is able to do both, and his sculptures all contain the same message: love and creativity make the world go round. This is the ideal he is especially keen to communicate to the many children who visit the artistic workshop he founded back in 1991. Kids, he says, should understand that life is always worthwhile, even during moments of tremendous difficulty such as war. Andrea organises school visits to his park where children see all the various stages of forming a sculpture – and this is Andrea’s way of inspiring them and underlining how all creation starts with thoughts and ideas.

Ninety per cent of Roggi’s work is in bronze. He also works in other materials, but says that in his head, if it’s not in bronze, it’s not really finished. But perhaps part of what Andrea loves most of all is the fact that his work is often commissioned for public places, meaning his message of love for life is available for all to see. Just as it is today at La Dolce Vita.

Germaine Stafford