Allesio studied art all his life and has been trained in the prestigious Academia of Belle Arti in Florence, Italy. The school, which boasts Michaelangelo as its first director, instilled in Alessio a complete devotion to art. While in school, Allesio was recruited to work for several prestigious firms specializing in the design and creation of theater sets for classic plays. During this time he learned about the art of each period, the clothing and furniture, the character and colors. Additionally, he has completed much restoration work on the artifacts and antiques of Italy. His restoration experience explains his use of board rather than canvas to paint on - replicating the texture and depth of the 13th century Italian Masters.
Marcello is "l'artigiano" the craftsman. He brings to their art his energetic creativity and vision, combined with training in mathematics and photography, enabling him to find beautiful solutions to the challenge of design and composition. His ideas for the next project are woven together with the delicate task of preparing the panel for Allesio to paint. He then perfects the image with impeccable gilding and varnishing.
Alessio and Marcello Bugagiar are like two sides of the same coin, different and distinct, but with a connection so complete as to be indivisible. Fraternal twins, each have a talent that complements the others. Together, they create work of remarkable beauty and distinction.
Since moving to Maui in 1995, the twins have blended their classical background developed in Italy with the natural themes of Hawaii, expressing their creativity through a passion for the traditional culture of their new home. Classical music is yet another thread the twins weave through their art. "Incorporating our deep love for classical music in the composition brings it to an even higher level for us," Allesio says.
Their technique of Painting on plaster has been done traditionally with water-based pigments, primarily tempera, onto wet or dry plaster. In the 1500's, artists such as Caravaggio were experimenting with the use of oils on "intonaco" the Italian word for plaster." We feel that through this marvelous media we are rediscovering a rare technique that makes our work unique. The originality of the medias we use, plaster and koa, became the foundations of our visions."
