Interview · By Stanislav Arnautov · Berlin
Delletuefiammeavide builds dark surrealist illustrations in India ink and teal paint — human–animal hybrids that sit closer to old engravers and early modern bestiaries than to contemporary trends. He thanked Deck Arts for the invitation to share the philosophy behind the work. Below: five pieces from the studio, then the full interview. Follow him on Instagram: @delletuefiammeavide9.
Gallery
Five works by Delletuefiammeavide. Swipe or scroll sideways through the row — all images share the same height.
How did you get into art?
How did you get into art? Do you remember a moment when you realised you wanted to create worlds of your own?
I have been drawing since I first learned to move pencils and markers across a sheet of paper. However, I distinctly remember a period during elementary school when a collection of rubber figures called Monster In My Pocket became a huge trend. In class, we used to play a game where we drew new monsters, which would then face each other in duels.
What does the name Delletuefiammeavide mean?
What does the name Delletuefiammeavide mean, and how did you choose it?
My name is a linguistic wordplay in Italian. When I pronounce it myself ("delle tue fiamme" — of your flames), it is directed toward others. Conversely, when someone else utters it, "tue fiamme" (your flames) is directed at me. I often use the metaphor of a matchstick to symbolize existence and its finitude. The flame or the fire are elements that, while burning, "ignite" the wooden stick, giving life to only one possible existence and consuming all the others.
How do these creatures emerge?
Your drawings combine human bodies with animal forms, wings, and roots. How do these creatures emerge — does the image come first, or an idea you want to express?
Very often, while sketching the subject, I am not entirely aware of what I am drawing; I simply let a new creature take shape. At other times, I add symbolic elements that feel coherent with the image. Sometimes I title the illustration to provide a few clues while leaving its interpretation completely open. I would say the process is partly rational and partly subconscious, though I try not to over-plan it.
How do these themes connect to your own experiences?
You write about the human psyche, the absurdity of existence, becoming, and decay. How do these themes connect to your own experiences?
I am an extremely reflective person. While it is true that only our actions concretely determine who we are, it is equally true that our thoughts precede them. In everyday life and over the years, I have often found myself in rather uncertain situations that could be resolved in very different ways—a classic example being my choice of studies. Yet, once a path is chosen in a given situation, out of many different possibilities, the number of options is instantly reduced to just one.
Which artists, books, films, or other sources have influenced your visual language?
Your work brings to mind old engravings and fantastical bestiaries. Which artists, books, films, or other sources have influenced your visual language?
Many artists have deeply influenced me, such as Hieronymus Bosch or H.R. Giger. I am also fascinated by the creatures of Ulisse Aldrovandi, and I particularly admire the works of Francis Bacon and Frida Kahlo.
Walk us through your creative process. What materials do you use?
Could you walk us through your creative process, from the first sketch to the finished drawing? What materials do you use, and why do you choose them?
The techniques I use have deep roots in art history, drawing inspiration from the master engravers of the Baroque and perhaps even the Medieval era. As for my tools, I keep them simple: smooth white cardstock and black India ink pens. Regarding the creative process, as I mentioned earlier, I am often not fully conscious of it myself, though I usually try to immerse myself in imagery of animals or even insects.
Choose one piece and tell us its story
Choose one piece from your portfolio and tell us its story. Is there anything in it that a viewer might miss at first glance?
One of my recent India ink drawings depicts a bird with a heart bursting from its chest and a mysterious book featuring a script so sharp that it catches fire. Unlike most of my works, which relate to humanity in general—such as the character with a glass body symbolizing the fragility of both our physical form and our soul—I believe some of the images I produce are self-referential. The piece I chose remains difficult to decipher even for me. However, I am certain the book represents a non-fiction text, reflecting my passion for philosophy, while the heart likely touches upon personal emotional experiences linked to a sense of isolation that, in reality, perhaps we all experience to some degree.
What kind of response do you hope to evoke?
What kind of response do you hope to evoke in viewers? How important is it that people understand your intentions, and how do you feel about interpretations that differ from your own?
I hope my work somehow prompts viewers to ask themselves questions, or to start reflecting on what they think they see and how they are interpreting it. Even better if it evokes some personal life experience. Beyond that, any reaction is valid, and I find it highly intriguing. Since these images function as symbols and lack a single, definitive interpretation, there are no wrong reactions or misinterpretations. I would love to enrich people through my imagery.
How has your art changed over the years?
How has your art changed over the years? Is there anything you see very differently now compared to when you started?
There has likely been some minor progress in my technique and my use of hatching or chiaroscuro. The underlying poetics, however, have naturally remained the same. I consider myself very close to the movement of French tragic existentialism.
What are you working on now?
What are you working on now, and what would you like to explore next?
I am planning a few fanzines and collaborations with self-produced underground magazines. Ultimately, I would love to collaborate with a team on a film project, translating my drawings into sculptures.
Where to follow Delletuefiammeavide
See more of the drawings and paintings on Instagram: instagram.com/delletuefiammeavide9.
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