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Making art is a way to explore perception and the systems that influence how we interpret the world around us

Italian artist and entrepreneur Gianluca Vernizzi works at the meeting point of art, science, and spirituality. His paintings encourage viewers to look beyond the surface and consider how color, form, and energy interact. For Vernizzi, making art is a way to explore perception and the systems that influence how we interpret the world around us.

His latest exhibition, titled 1NTRAVERS8, opened on October 17 at MOCA Bangkok. The name combines the words “introvert” and “universe” and suggests the idea of a single universe unfolding into endless possibilities. Curated by Bangkok-based Camilla Russell, the exhibition brings together new works shaped by influences that range from art history and technological research to fractal geometry, epigenetics, and quantum theory. The collection reflects Vernizzi’s interest in scientific materials and his view that each person experiences imagery through an individual mix of intuition, memory, and internal rhythm. 

We spoke with the artist about his journey, his unconventional materials, and the ideas that guide his approach. The exhibition at MOCA runs until December 16.

Vernizzi’s works on exhibit at MOCA Bangkok.

Can you share a bit about your background before you became a full-time artist?

I spent nearly 40 years in the architecture and design world. My family ran a wood coating business, which my father sold in 1991. Afterward, I launched my own company, creating environmentally friendly, special effects paints – water-based alternatives to wallpaper with texture, color, and innovative finishes. This was my way of blending art and industry long before I transitioned to painting full-time in 2018.

So art was always part of your professional life, even in business?

Exactly. I never saw art and business as separate. Even when I worked with coatings, I approached them artistically – thinking about aesthetics, color, and sensory experience while meeting functional requirements. Later, I devoted myself fully to art, applying everything I’d learned about materials, chemistry, and design to serve conceptual purposes.

What materials do you use in your paintings?

I work with nano acrylics – water-based, durable, and environmentally friendly. They resist bacteria, mold, and tropical climate damage. I combine them with traditional media like oils and natural pigments. Some coatings react to light, revealing hidden elements in the dark, which ties directly to my central theme: impermanence and fleeting moments.

Among the works on view are Life is a Soup and I am a Fork, a two-part piece that brings together traditional portraiture and LED lighting.

So the materials themselves play a conceptual role?

Yes. In my previous work, materials served function. Now, they serve purpose, capturing change, light, and transformation. My process is intuitive: I start with layers, let the materials guide me, and develop imagery without sketches. It’s like scanning a moment with an MRI – you capture it, refine it, and understand it in layers.

How would you describe your art in a sentence?

Conceptual. It’s about spirituality, impermanence, and personal growth. Each piece is like a puzzle, part of a larger story. The series accumulates these moments to form a broader picture that extends beyond immediate perception.

1NTRAVERS8 runs until December 167, 2025.

How do audiences respond, even without knowing your materials or methods?

I’m often surprised. People interact with light, color, and depth, sometimes discovering hidden elements. Even in Asia, viewers connect with the experiential side of my work. For example, Suspension, a piece referencing Jesus conceptually, was selected for the international pavilion at Thailand Biennale Korat 2021 and resonated despite cultural differences.

What about collectors? Are they buying your work?

Yes, both in Thailand and internationally, through the exhibitions’ organizers. My focus has never been commercial; the collectors are part of the story, not the purpose. I’m more interested in creating meaningful work than chasing sales.

You’ve also done collaborations, like with watches?

Yes. In 2017, I designed a limited-edition watch for Chulalongkorn University’s centennial celebration. It features hand-engraved textures and an ovoid form inspired by nature. This combines my interests in precision, materials, and conceptual design.”

How do you see the role of art in society?

Art reconnects us with nature, humanity, and spirituality. Authentic art inspires people to reflect and contribute to a collective purpose. My goal is to use materials, concept, and process to create meaning, rather than to dictate truth or follow market trends.

Abstract painting Blueprint that references linguistics through cursive linear brushstrokes set against a blue and yellow backdrop.

Are there pieces in your current exhibition that stand out?

The first and last in the series. The Soup reflects the essence of life, and Blueprint explores universal DNA and the biology of beliefs. They’re deeply personal and central to the concepts I explore in all my work.

What’s next for you?

I’m working on projects that merge art and architecture, creating immersive environments where concept, culture, and space intersect. I hope to continue pushing boundaries and sharing this approach in Thailand and beyond.

Artist Gianluca Vernizzi

MOCA

Website: www.mocabangkok.com
Instagram: @mocabangkok

Gianluca Vernizzi

Website: www.gianlucavernizzi.com
Instagram: @gianlucavernizzi