HEERA ALAYA

Heera Alaya: What is the accurate description of your space housing paintings and artefacts?

Luca Rafanelli: In Italian, a space like ours [Luca and his wife, Alessandra’s] is called a bottega—a workshop where you create, transform, think, paint and sculpt. I am a blend of an artisan, artist and antique dealer.

For how long have you had your bottega?

Since 1985.

What are the Italian names of the artefacts in your bottega?

We have sculture [sculptures], cornice [frames], mobile [furniture] and antichità [antiques].

You have a considerable collection, from frames to mannequins and candelabras to paintings. Are you aware of your inventory?

Yes. When you choose something…

That you love, you remember?

Yes.

Did you study restoration in college?

No, I did not study in college. This part of town [Oltrano, Florence] was and is the central part of Italy and Europe for antique restoration. I started working in other workshops.

As an apprentice?

Yes. I was lucky because I could always sketch, so my apprentice time was rapid.

And now you paint.

Yes. It has been 28 years since I started painting bikes, umbrellas and trees.

What is your fascination with umbrellas, bikes and trees?

I was thinking of what to paint, and the idea of a bike and umbrella flowed naturally. I painted the first one [a bike and umbrella], which sold within half an hour of completion. Since then, I have never stopped painting umbrellas.

How reassuring to have your first creation sell out in a matter of minutes.

Your umbrellas are red. How do you decide on the right shade of red?

Selecting the right shade is instinctive. And I improvise to get the desired effect.

What does the creating process do for you?

Painting makes me calm.

I cannot get enough of your weathered honeycomb terracotta tiles and the lighting, which elevates your carmine and amber walls as it does the artefacts. How did you arrive at your bottega’s décor?

My wife, Alessandra, and I do what we like and what pleases us.

What is Alessandra’s role in managing the bottega?

When she was young, Alessandra was a dancer and choreographer. Then, she became a restorer, buying, restoring, and selling.

How did your path to follow your passion unfurl?

My parents and relatives let me be free to study and work, which I started at fourteen.

That’s young!

Do you have interests outside of curating and painting?

My job is a way of life; it is full-time. We [Alessandra and Luca] are here from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

You and Alessandra are fortunate to have found each other—you have shared interests.

Yes, we are lucky.

Do you close your bottega and go home for lunch?

[Going home for lunch] It depends on the day. When it is hot in the summer, we [Alessandra and Luca] close the bottega for a couple of hours and go home.

Are you a Florentine [a native of Florence]?

Yes. I was born on this block [Via di Serragli, Oltrano] and lived on the next street for 60 years. We [Alessandra and Luca] finally moved 500 metres from the bottega. Now we are on the fourth floor with a terrace overlooking the town, which I like.

Does a brick-and-mortar bottega restrict your plans, let us say, to travel?

We [Alessandra and Luca] used to travel twice a year, in June and February, to the beach or nearby Florence. We have also been to India seven times.

Which parts of India did you visit?

Mostly Goa, Andamans [Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bay of Bengal], Madras, Bombay and Kerala.

Andaman is beautiful.

It [Andaman] is beautiful, but being an island, it is limited. We do not travel anymore because our [Alessandra and Luca] mothers are old, and we don’t want to stay away from Florence for long periods.

It is good you invested in travelling early on in life, as it now allows you to live at a harmonious pace.

Yes, this is true.

I cherish being in your calm presence and hearing your soothing voice as you work in your bottega. Thank you, Luca, for your time and grace.

You are welcome.

Learn more about Luca Rafanelli.