Madonnari Selica Trippini and Valentina Sforzini participated in the 2009 Grazie di Curtatone Street Painting Competition in Mantua, Italy, this past weekend. This street painting competition is brutal! Contestants have a 24 hour time slot to complete their entire street painting, working in the day in intense heat and working late into the night to have as much time as possible to complete their piece.
Italian street painter Selica Trippini worked 22 hours non-stop to finish her street painting (below), which advanced her to the Maestri Madonnari Category! She won a special prize for this beautiful street painting, which was presented to her by Rosy Loyola (of Festival Bella Via in Mexico). The prize is a trip to Monterrey to participate in Festival Bella Via next year!
Detail of Selica Trippini's street painting at Grazie, 2009
Although religious themes are traditional at Grazie, Selica's daughter Valentina Sfozini decided to do something different this year. Her street painting (below) is a reflection about true love. The original artwork is called 'To Die For' by street artist Boxi, who was inspired by the story of 2 young lovers from Afghanistan that were killed by the Taliban because of their love.
Both artists, Selica and Valentina, did a great job with their street paintings! It's exciting to see such diverse subject matter at Grazie and to see such wonderful and emotive work!