Exploring Identity Through Art: The Multifaceted World of Adamo Macri
Artworld Daily


“His art is a continuous dance between mediums, each contributing to a larger, more complex narrative. Themes of identity, character, and environment drive his work, and his creative process embodies both intellectual rigor and emotional exploration.”


Born in Montreal, Canada, in 1964, Adamo Macri is a multimedia artist who has spent decades pushing the boundaries of creative expression. His artistic journey began at Dawson College, where he built a solid foundation in commercial art, graphic design, photography, art history, and fine arts. Though Macri identifies primarily as a sculptor, his creative output spans an array of mediums, including photography, video, painting, and drawing. What sets Macri apart is his meticulous approach to creation — a process that often starts with fragmented ideas and evolves into elaborate, multifaceted works. For him, every piece originates from the tangible, whether through sculpture, painting, or photography. His art is a continuous dance between mediums, each contributing to a larger, more complex narrative. Themes of identity, character, and environment drive his work, and his creative process embodies both intellectual rigor and emotional exploration.

Coded Palette

Here is the artist’s interview.

What is your creative process like?

I’m excited and charged when I have a great idea, which is often fragmented, with gaps, and it can happen almost anywhere at any time. The concept has a hold on me intellectually. Exceptional ideas exhibit a distinct complexity linked to various subtexts, which I refer to as layers. This initiates a series of interconnected words that I note and begin to analyze, which also act as concepts for the title of the artwork. These ideas begin to spin in my mind, forming a story as if I had been assigned to write a complete novel. I proceed by outlining elements linked to the concept and its sub-levels, while also exploring necessary components to incorporate. Since I consistently serve as the model in the piece, I define my total look and style that represents and merges with all the elements. This encompasses hairstyle, makeup, ornaments, colour palette, ambiance, and environment. Every sculptural piece is created and painted, ultimately positioned around or on me as though setting up a still life for a photo shoot. I adore the whole process, not just the way the idea develops and is managed, but also how the mediums themselves systematically shift from one to the next. From a handful of words emerges a three-dimensional creation to be captured and documented by a camera. As a result, it is crucial to remember the path of the work phases. In other words, everything you observe in my works was initially created from the ground up by me, all of it. Each pixel that is printed in the final phase. This contrasts with the majority of well-known photographs that were taken with a camera’s button, operated by a machine in one click.

Do any personal experiences shape your work?

The only reply I can provide when asked this question is that I was brought up in a suburb of Montreal primarily composed of so-called southern Italo-Americano immigrants. How everyone I knew within the community was rather similar. The types of characters seen in nearly all of Martin Scorsese’s films. Reflecting on it, I genuinely feel as if I have lived through the experience depicted in The Sopranos television series. All were mimicking characters from The Godfather movie. I tried to escape this strict mold, strongly embodying a defiant young teenager. I truly found it difficult or was uninterested in fitting in and joining any group. I recall first witnessing the rock band KISS on television, which impacted me profoundly. I thought it was the most incredible thing ever, to be performing with face paint and costumes. Then came Mick Jagger, David Bowie, along with all the punk and new-wave legends. I had a strong passion for alternative music in general. I believe all of this might have influenced my fascination or curiosity with the theme of identity. My work is deeply centered on various characters or personas placed in extraordinary, unpredictable environments.

What challenges do you face as an artist?

As I have always stated, the art life is pure delight. I can’t think of anything more enjoyable or equally fulfilling in this world. For me, making art isn’t a job or career but a vocation. With that in mind, almost everything we decide to pursue comes with obstacles; otherwise, it would be overly monotonous. My challenges are in properly aligning all the disparate elements chosen like a puzzle while still being visually attractive. It’s not a simple equation to solve. Numerous obstacles and adjustments occur before everything functions flawlessly. This can be likened to various instruments meticulously uniting to form a symphony. Crafting sculptural and diverse visual elements essential for expressing an abstract rendition of a narrative symbolically within a single frame. When I choose a concept, it is often shaped by the personal anxiety that has persisted throughout my life. Anxiety encompasses various fears, such as the fear of deep water, claustrophobia, heights, caves, bats, boats, and being in the woods after dark. Additionally, there’s the proximity neurosis, which involves the necessity for prompt access to emergency medical services. This is why I view myself as a skilled inhabitant of the city. To me, city living signifies safety, whereas country living seems frightening, influencing my artistic horror genre in my work. I’m a fully terrestrial mammal that is very active in the big city. Every pinned note referred to here is evident in my artwork.

What do you want people to feel when they see your art?

To maintain a respectful PG-13 tone in this response, I want them to feel a variety of emotions. The finished stage when the audience becomes involved is genuinely captivating and enjoyable. There is a deep feeling of satisfaction in listening to the commentaries and analyses. The varied perspectives thrill me, especially the contradictory assessments. In essence, it’s a journey, an exhilarating adventure that takes audiences through my ideas and imaginative notions. The viewpoint reflects on the formation of my private library, as they all hold unique narratives. Selected stories and issues that hold significance for me, which have greatly shaped my thinking and personality. Making it deeply perceptive and contemplative. Every image serves as a tangible representation of a chosen narrative that takes the viewer’s imagination to different, captivating, and occasionally frightening locations. The concept governs every aspect; the visual result must express a reality and emotions linked to the idea, regardless of whether the selected narrative is factual or fictional.


Adamo Macri’s work offers a visceral and layered experience, guiding viewers through narratives that blend personal anxieties, cultural references, and imaginative storytelling. His art remains a testament to his commitment to pushing creative boundaries while remaining true to his own unique vision. As he continues to explore and document his intricate ideas, Macri’s approach reflects a deep curiosity about identity and existence.


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"Macri is going green. I love your scene!"
~ Bob Boldt (American artist, writer, poet, film/video maker)

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"Adamo rock and roll!"
~ Curtis Craven (Video professional, University of Texas Austin)

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"Congratulations! A very intriguing piece of the puzzle of your art!"
~ Yorgos Papadopoulos (Psychologist, Dráma Greece)

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"'visceral and layered storytelling' Great interview, and work. Also, growing up Italo-Americano-Sopranos-Godfather input, and reaction. It's all there, in living colour and energy."
~ John Felice Ceprano (Ottawa rock sculptor, painter)

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"Dear Adamo, a very enlightening and informative interview. I'm fascinated by the new work."
~ Anton Lechner (Visual artist)

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"Great article Adamo Macri! Congratulations!"
~ Lisa Panagopoulos (Actor, Film, Television, University of Massachusetts Lowell)

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"So very enlightening and interesting. The portrait also speaks volumes."
~ Kenneth Radu (Canadian writer)


Exploring Identity Through Art: The Multifaceted World of Adamo Macri
Published March 29, 2025
Artworld Daily