Biography
Raffaele Ciotola (Naples, 1964) is a socially engaged contemporary artist whose work spans painting, civil commitment, and stylistic experimentation. His early artistic research focused on dreamlike landscapes, hermetic symbolism, and metaphysical suggestions. Over time, his production evolved to embrace universal and social themes, turning art into a vehicle for reflection, protest, and cultural transformation.
In 2003, Ciotola founded the artistic movement "Stop Homoph Art", aimed at promoting a culture of respect and fighting all forms of homophobia. From this commitment emerged his iconic piece, "The Madonna of Homosexuals", now considered the emblematic work of his career. The painting attracted widespread public and critical attention, as well as the interest of Jean-Louis Cougnon, Head of Division at the Directorate-General of the European Parliament.
Among his most institutionally acclaimed works are "Italy Against Racism", "COVID-19", and "The Madonna of Fatima"—the latter being part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Fatima in Portugal. These works are celebrated for their powerful messages and visual impact, gaining recognition from Italian President Sergio Mattarella and the European Parliament.
Throughout his artistic journey, Ciotola has developed three original movements:
Rock Art Ciotola (2018): a current that merges pop aesthetics, rock culture, and contemporary symbolism, combining music, tattoos, and existential rebellion in vibrant, provocative compositions.
Finger Art Ciotola (2023): a painting technique based exclusively on the use of fingers, through which the artist seeks a more direct, physical, and emotional connection with the canvas—deliberately abandoning the brush to emphasize the expressive power of gesture.
Raffaele Ciotola is regarded as one of the most original voices in contemporary Italian art, capable of uniting aesthetics and social engagement, tradition and innovation, addressing urgent themes such as civil rights, historical memory, spirituality, and individual freedom.
