by Costanza Carbotta.
“I hope to keep alive in the present the memory of what has been.” This is the core, the soul of Patrizia Italiano‘s design, a designer who, through her works inspired by the colors and stories of her homeland, looks to the future of tradition. From a very young age she exhibited her creations in Milan, New York, Tokyo and the United Arab Emirates. Today she has started working again after a long period of inactivity, using Sicily as an inexhaustible source of inspiration, to convey its magic made of symbols and irony.
Patrizia Italiano.
Why did you choose Sicily—its colors and traditions—as the theme of your work, but interpreted in a contemporary way?
I chose to tell the story of Sicily through my work because it’s my homeland, the place that shaped me and continues to inspire me. Its colors, traditions, and culture are roots that bind me to it in a deep and lasting way. In a sense, it’s my affection for Sicily that drives me to bring these themes to light and to express its beauty and history.
But it’s not simply an act of nostalgia—it’s also a desire to innovate: Sicily is a world rich with symbols and stories, and I find it compelling to reinterpret it through a contemporary lens. I try to combine tradition with a personal vision, transforming its elements into something new that can speak to people today with a sense of lightness..
Vase Il Fuochista di Salaputri
All your works are handcrafted exclusively, without industrial or serial processes. Why is that?
My choice to work entirely by hand comes from the belief that craftsmanship—with its manual skill and uniqueness—has an intrinsic value that cannot be replicated through industrial production. In a time when design is often seen as a technological and industrial process, I believe it’s essential to keep alive the tradition of hand-making, which is directly tied to history, culture, and the individual behind the work.
It’s not just an ideological stance—it’s a key part of my creative process: each piece I create is unique, not only in terms of aesthetics. I was deeply inspired by Richard Sennett’s book “The Craftsman“, a journey between past and present and into old workshops, to explore how the synergy of mind, hand, desire, and reason helped shape the greatness of the Western world—and perhaps can restore its wisdom today.
Vase “Giano, The Two-Faced Head”
Your works are full of creativity, colors, stories, and characters. What do you hope they communicate to the space and the people who live in it?
My creations are born from a desire to evoke emotions and tell stories—stories of life, tradition, and color. I’d like each piece to speak not just through its aesthetics, but through its ability to spark imagination and emotions, with a knowing gaze toward the beauty and complexity of the Sicilian world. My works are meant to bring joy to homes, terraces, and even public spaces—making them more welcoming, more vibrant, and more in tune with contemporary culture.
Vase “Il Riccio”
You exhibit and present your pieces—deeply rooted in Sicilian tradition—even in international settings. How are they perceived abroad compared to in Italy?
When I exhibit my work abroad, I often see great interest and even surprise from international audiences. Many people—even outside of Italy—can connect with the visual language I use. Sicily, with its vivid colors, myths, and captivating history, has an energy that speaks to everyone, regardless of cultural background.
Of course, Italian audiences can often pick up on more subtle and immediate references, thanks to their familiarity with Sicilian life, popular traditions, and the cultural archetypes that are part of our collective identity. International audiences tend to approach my work with greater curiosity, eager to discover the meanings and stories hidden within each element.
Vase “Calogero, the Mandarin Seller”
On the cover: La Conturbante vase, the woman who defends Blufi’s tulips.
