Born in Turin, Italy, Alberto Ballocca is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans painting and sculpture. Drawing inspiration from ancient cultures, natural patterns, and Jungian theories, his work brings together symbolic references and material experimentation to explore new ways of seeing and creating. Since 2018, Ballocca has exhibited and published his work across Europe, the United States, China, and South Korea. Whether working with paint or sculpture, his approach is guided by intuition and discovery, allowing each piece to emerge through a dialogue between the artist, the materials, and the ideas they carry.
Letting Material Shape the Work
Material is not simply a means of execution in Alberto Ballocca’s practice : it is where the work begins. Rather than relying only on conventional art supplies, he sources many of his pigments directly from the world around him. Volcanic rock dust, ochre extracted from woodland soils near Turin, mineral pigments used in restoration, and reclaimed industrial dyes all become part of his visual language.
These materials are mixed with water, Arabic gum, or diluted acrylic according to perception rather than fixed formulas. Their behaviour under gravity, humidity, and absorption helps determine the final image, allowing forms to surface gradually instead of being fully imposed in advance. The same logic extends to his sculptures, which incorporate discarded technological objects such as circuit boards, obsolete hardware, and used electronics. Removed from their original function, these fragments are treated almost like archaeological remains, chosen for their symbolic presence and their ability to suggest new meanings.
Between Ancient Symbols and New Possibilities
At the heart of Alberto Ballocca’s work is the idea that what a civilization leaves behind can become the foundation for something new. Natural pigments, industrial remnants, and discarded technologies are brought together not as opposites, but as materials carrying different histories, ready to be transformed through the creative process. This perspective is closely linked to the ancient Greek concept of Kairos (a moment of meaningful opportunity rather than measured clock time). For Ballocca, creation takes place within this suspended moment, where instinct, material, and symbolism come together before taking shape. It is in this space between the ancient and the contemporary that new forms begin to emerge.
These ideas are reflected in his Òrama collection, where symbolic landscapes, organic forms, and mythological references evoke the intensity of life rather than the finality of death. Plants become emblems of vitality, water suggests memory and continuity, while recurring solar symbols reinforce themes of energy, renewal, and transformation. Together, these elements create works that invite viewers to reflect on the enduring dialogue between nature, culture, and imagination.
In our final remarks
Through a practice rooted in intuition and material exploration, Alberto Ballocca creates a dialogue between ancient symbols, natural elements, and contemporary remnants. His works invite viewers to look beyond the surface, revealing how matter, time, and memory can come together to shape new forms of expression.