“Once upon a time” is not only the opening of a story, but the thread that brings Sebastiano Cannarella back to his native land, Portopalo di Capo Passero. This return is not a simple visit, but a true immersion into the deepest roots and into the historical and emotional memory of these places.
On this far edge of Sicily, where the land ends and the infinite begins, the sea is not only a geographical element, but a silent witness. The departures, the waiting and the voices of the past keep inhabiting these spaces, echoing among the alleys and the salt pans. Cannarella’s works stand as guardians of this heritage, portraying a Sicily that is at once keeper of memories and inspiring muse, in a perfect balance between nostalgia and primordial charm.
There is an intimate dialogue between the artist and his community, a bond nourished by shared glances and a deep understanding of local traditions. Through his artistic language, Cannarella transforms personal chronicle into a universal reflection on the concept of “belonging”. Every brushstroke (or shot/work) becomes a bridge between past and present, inviting the observer to rediscover the beauty of an identity that, while evolving, does not forget its own origins.
This artistic research does not limit itself to celebrating the beauty of the landscape, but digs into the soul of Portopalo, revealing how the memory of places is the foundation on which to build the future
