Paolo Campa's art transcends surrealism, blending constructivist realism with exceptional technical skill to create a unique visual language.
Born in Lugano into a family of well-known hoteliers from the 1960s to the 1990s, Paolo Campa (originally Paolo Campanile) showed an early fascination with art. He began painting at age 13, using leftover paint tubes from his cousin Dario Campanile, who was born in 1948 and studied under Giorgio De Chirico in 1967 and Salvador Dalì in 1973.
Since 1985, Paolo's work has been heavily influenced by the metaphysical surrealism of his cousin and mentor, Dario. In 1987, he participated in his first group exhibition at the "Poltera" Gallery in Lugano. He became a professional artist in 1997, teaching in private schools, and adopted the surname "Campa," a nickname given to him in his youth.
By the mid-1990s, Paolo had moved away from surrealism, developing a unique style of constructivist realism marked by exceptional technical skill. His career took a significant turn in 2003 when he met curator Antonina Zaru, who included him in traveling exhibitions between the United States and London.
From 2006, international art fairs in Milan and Bologna provided him with ongoing opportunities. He caught the attention of renowned critic Maurizio Sciaccaluga, who featured him in his final exhibition in 2007, later continued by Vittorio Sgarbi under the theme "New Painters of Reality."
Paolo has exhibited extensively in Italy and Switzerland, particularly in Zurich. His recent exhibitions include shows at the Silvano Lodi Gallery in Lugano and the "Minima Gallery" in Mykonos, showcasing his latest works, including portraits, compositions, and naturalistic views.