Lorenzo Quinn
on the Symbolism behind Human Hands
What is your “Greatest Goal”?
Lorenzo Quinn recently had one: to create an artwork that would symbolize the union of nations for a regenerative future. The achievement of a Goal through the power of the community, “because humankind needs to work hand-in-hand to achieve the sustainable development goal and this narrative is in line with the meaning of this sculpture.”
The embodiment of his philosophy is a sculpture that has been displayed at FIFA World Cup™ in 2022, one that resembles a giant frame embodied by two hands holding onto each other. An artwork created from sustainable materials that light up at night, recycled and put together by local fishermen – which was eventually included in the Guinness World Records World Record for the most significant sculpture made of recycled steel.
Contemporary Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn is a leading figurative sculptor whose work is inspired by such masters as Michelangelo, Bernini and Rodin. Exhibited internationally, both his monumental public art and his more intimate pieces reflect his passion for eternal values and authentic emotions. His love of Nature stands as a pillar in his art: among his commissions is the Tree of Life, produced for the United Nations and issued by the organization as a stamp in 1993. His monumental sculpture “Support” was on display at COP25 as a reminder of the rising sea levels that threaten all coastal cities around the world.
His father, Anthony Quinn, profoundly inspired him in this regard, especially through his own passion and talent in the art sector.
His favourite symbol? Human hands. Lorenzo is best known for his expressive recreations of hands: “Hands represent a universal language.They hold so much power – the power to love, to hate, to create, to destroy.” We all have the capacity to both create and destroy, a decision that ultimately is in our hands. We have all the resources to face climate change, we just need to decide the course of action we want to take.
“Inspiration comes within a millisecond”, he says, explaining how his creative ideas come quickly to life. Although a project takes months to realize, it always carries a clear meaning. He usually conceives each work in writing, and the poetic text is ultimately displayed with the sculpture, as an integral part of the piece, not as an explanation.
Read his answers for #inspirators, allow yourself to experience art, interact with it, and listen to Lorenzo’s daily reminder: “It’s a matter of the human race - if we care about our future, we have to treat Gaia much better.”
Thank you, Lorenzo, for being a Sensitive Artist!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Lorenzo Quinn
Company / Institution: Quinn Creations
Title: Artist
Website: www.lorenzoquinn.com
Country of origin: Italy
Country you currently live in: Spain
Your personal definition of Regeneration: Reinventing the world one public art project at a time.
Main business challenge you face: In the current sustainable crisis, I would like to transition my entire practice to sustainable materials.
Main driver that keeps you going: Every day, I receive messages from people who have been inspired by my art and that's what makes me love to create art for them!
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: My love for learning.
The trait you most value in others: Empathy.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: Walking and Nature. Inspiring views.
The #inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path:
I am so inspired by my fellow contemporary artists!
I look up to Antony Gormley, especially his work in Margate, Another Time. I hope I can live up to his creative energy.
A hint or starting point for companies or professionals that are taking the first steps in the regeneration journey: Be ok and feel comfortable.
Most used and abused clichés about sustainability that bother you:
I feel it’s less a cliché, but rather more of an urgency, and it’s not enough to just talk about it. Artists now have to do more than talk about it. It's a must - they should transition the materials they use so that they match the topic they raise. This is exactly what I did for the World Cup commission - I specifically and only used recycled materials.
Running a business is a really hard process - and with the scale of the sculptures I make, it’s very much of a business. That's why an alignment between the depth and the impact is much needed. The scale of what I do is all about that.
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope:
It’s ok to have days where you feel you cannot do much. Take it one step at a time. All those little steps make big differences.
Books that had a major impact on you:
Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman by Ivon Chouinard.
Must-reads for any Regenerative professional:
This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate by Naomi Klein.
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: I enjoyed discovering the Middle East and its culture and reinventing new conversations with my sculptures and my art.
Global Regenerative Voices you recommend us to follow:
Olafur Eliasson
Trends in Regeneration we should keep an eye on: I wouldn’t call them trends. All sectors need to rethink the way they are doing things!
Best places for business networking (online or offline): Travelling. I have travelled the world, I love meeting people. Every person I meet is interesting and rare, and I believe I have learned something from each and one of them.
Events we should attend: The COPs are the best places to meet activists, thinkers, and leaders who are discussing the best practices and materials to use.
Associations, business clubs, tribes you belong to – and why: Super proud to be represented by an Agency that belongs to B Corp and that is having an international impact.
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030:
Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bergman is a great read where the author highlights the power of innovation in making change.
I feel optimistic when I read news such as this one: recently, a plastic-eating fungus has been discovered, so I have all my fingers crossed that this could be a reality soon!
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: The bigger challenge is to get all countries to agree to a sustainable future. I am saddened by hearing that countries that are one of the biggest polluters, such as the US and China, refused to join COP26.
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today:
Being flexible. Being able to adapt. Being able to constantly question.
Your own quote that will inspire us:
