Italian maestro Lorenzo Maria Bottari embarks on a residency in Brisbane, promising Sicilian brushstrokes and an Italian ode to love, life and poetry.
Hosted by The Pen Shoppe in the heritage-listed Brisbane Arcade, this unique residency runs –. Renowned for fine pens and art materials, The Pen Shoppe welcomes the distinguished Italian painter for an immersive program of live demonstrations, an intimate cocktail evening, and a curated exhibition.
Originally from Sicily with an illustrious career of 500+ exhibitions across New York, London, Paris, Vienna, Stockholm, Berlin and more, this marks Bottari’s first-ever visit to Australia. Visitors can meet the artist in person, see his Sicilian brush in action capturing his impressions of Brisbane, and explore limited-edition prints personally touched up during the residency.
Lauded by writers, artists and calligraphers, The Pen Shoppe counts among its customers Bette Midler, John Laws and the late Barry Humphries. Closely influenced and mentored by Picasso contemporaries, Bottari’s themes are firmly grounded in love and a love of life.
Bottari’s Australian debut arises from a chance 2017 encounter with The Pen Shoppe’s owner, Barbara Nichol, at an art exhibition in Modica, Sicily, and a continued connection through visits to his Milan studio during annual European supplier trips.
“With his rich artistic and cultural heritage, it is an honour for The Pen Shoppe to be hosting Lorenzo here in Brisbane Arcade — Brisbane’s very own 101-year-old heritage shopping arcade that has long been a creative hub for makers, designers, artists and even one of the most renowned privately owned art galleries, the Johnston Gallery during the 1950s.” — Barbara Nichol
“Brisbane art lovers and artists will be delighted as Lorenzo will be demonstrating the creative possibilities using Caran d’Ache Art and Colour materials — a Swiss brand revered by professional artists all over the world.” — Barbara Nichol
“In an age where AI threatens the integrity of true art, this is a very rare and prestigious opportunity to have a maestro of Lorenzo’s standing show how these exceptional tools can bring poetry to life on canvas with genuine and authentic artistry.” — Barbara Nichol
Watch Lorenzo create vivid artworks inspired by Brisbane using Caran d’Ache Art & Colour materials. Limited-edition prints — personally touched up during the residency — will be available for purchase.
A curated showcase of Bottari’s paintings — rich in Mediterranean vitality, surreal irony and love’s joyous hues — free for the public to enjoy.
An exclusive evening of art and conversation. Bottari speaks about his art and painting style, often inspired by the poetry of Nobel Laureate Salvatore Quasimodo and the classical Italian lineage of Dante Alighieri.
Attendance: Limited tickets available via request.
Born in Palermo in 1949, Bottari began his artistic journey in Florence in 1968. Inspired by Pablo Picasso and later mentored by Renato Guttuso, he studied fabric design at Milan’s Istituto Marangoni (1974). His creative versatility spans painting, ceramics, textiles, and jewellery — including a celebrated 1979 collaboration with a Monopoli goldsmith.
International exhibitions across New York, London, Paris, Vienna, Stockholm and Berlin have marked his career. In 1987 he collaborated with surrealist photographer Angus McBean on Dialogo tra Fotografia e Pittura. His work is noted for youthful exuberance, dreamlike irony, vivid colours and dynamic contrasts, aligning with the spirit of Italy’s Transavantgarde movement.
Celebrated themes include a 1995 tribute to Rudolph Valentino; Pinocchio in the World of Tarot (1999); and, from 2000 onward, paintings translating the poetry of Nobel Laureate Salvatore Quasimodo. Poet Alda Merini’s “La Luna” inspired an enduring series on love and longing.
Recent exhibitions — including Rooms: Works from 1967 to 2021 at Palazzo Bisaccioni — highlight Blue Nude, Woman with Child, Alpheus and Arethusa, a portrait of Alda Merini, and the notable 2021 Homage to Dante. Today, Bottari is acclaimed for imaginative journeys suffused with Mediterranean warmth, poetic wit, and a radiant celebration of life’s beauty.
The Pen Shoppe is one of Australia’s leading specialty retailers of fine writing instruments, art materials and accessories. Nestled within Brisbane Arcade since 1980, it serves writers, artists, calligraphers, professionals and collectors who value the beauty of exquisite craftsmanship. Prestigious brands include Montblanc, Caran d’Ache, Graf von Faber-Castell, Cross, Lamy, Sheaffer, Sailor, Parker and Waterman, alongside exclusive gifts and leather goods.
The store offers on-the-spot engraving, pen repairs, gift selection and wrapping, plus mail and phone orders. Owner-founder Barbara Nichol is a celebrated handwriting expert and author of Polishing Your Penmanship, and regularly runs penmanship, calligraphy and watercolour pencil workshops.
Brisbane Arcade, the city’s oldest and grandest shopping arcade, has been a jewel in Brisbane’s crown since 1924. Synonymous with Queensland’s royalty of fashion and jewellery design, it remains a destination where history, elegance and craftsmanship meet. The arcade is home to fashion houses, jewellery ateliers, accessory boutiques, high tea venues and gift emporiums, and is one of the few places where true craftsmanship happens on site daily.
Owned and operated by The Mayne Estate philanthropic trusts, operating proceeds support the University of Queensland’s Medical School and groundbreaking research in areas including cancer, maternal and child health, brain and mental health, and chronic and critical illness — making every visit a contribution to community wellbeing.
Further information: brisbanearcade.com.au • Facebook: facebook.com/brisbanearcade • Instagram: @brisbanearcade
