Gianluca Pacchioni

Milan's master of metalwork

• Gianluca’s passion for sculpting metal developed in Paris
• In 2016 he won the Maestro d'Arte e Mestiere (MAM) prize
• He likes to collaborate with other master artisans in Lombardy

To step into the studio-home of Gianluca Pacchioni is a magical experience. Within an old eyedrop factory, very close to the centre of Milan, you will find a whole universe inhabited by enormous sculptures in metal and stone, unique works that are undeniably made by this master artisan, whose talent is appreciated all over the world. Pacchioni is dedicated to forging, a passion he discovered quite by chance. “I was about to graduate in economics in Paris, when I fell in love with a rather bohemian girl who had many acquaintances in the art world. It was an epiphany; she was the one who introduced me to the entourage of Les Frigos, at 91 Quai de la Gare, one of the symbols of the Parisian art scene in the 1990s.”

Interview

©Lorenzo Pennati

©Laila Pozzo

Do your remember when you first welded metal?

I used to live in an empty attic and decided I had to furnish it. So at night I would rummage through dumps, looking for discarded items to assemble. After a couple of months, a sculpture I had made using pieces from old balconies won an important competition organised by the city of Paris.

How did the transformation from businessman to artist come about?

At the age of 30 I had an accident, which forced me to stop working for several months. That’s when I understood that I was moving too fast and in the wrong direction; I was becoming too commercial. So I decided to become an artist.

How is your work tied to Milan, where you now live?

Lombardy is a land full of incredibly skilled hands, who assist me in creating whatever idea crosses my mind. I like to cooperate with other master artisans, mingling skills. They complain about how difficult my projects are, then they concentrate on finding the right solution to each problem.

Is it difficult for you to part with a sculpture it took you weeks to make?

Not at all. On the contrary, when I write the address on the package I like to imagine the space where that particular piece will end up. It’s one of my favourite moments, because that’s when my creations actually come to life.

Gianluca Pacchioni is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1992

Works

©Lorenzo Pennati

©Lorenzo Pennati

©Lorenzo Pennati

©All rights reserved

©Lorenzo Pennati

Where