My father Adolfo's "little animals"
-
- My father Adolfo Dallolio, who was born in 1911 and passed away in 2003, was an energetic and indefatigable farmer first, then a bricklayer and an excellent cobbler. Gifted with an exceptional, natural craftsmanship (and in order to satisfy an inner impulse), when he retired several years ago he started carving in wood a whole series of very nice tiny animals using whatever tool he had at hand – cobbler’s, bricklayer’s… – and any kind of wood, even the less adequate one.Thanks to the imagination, the creativity and the amazing knowledge of the models he was endowed with he created a whole zoo: ultra-light hummingbirds, sweet, delicate white doves, mighty rhinos, aggressive, majestic eagles, pigs with their piglets, elegant herons and seagulls, colorful parrots, puffins, blackbirds, penguins, whales, dolphins, cows, turtles, zebras, owls, panda bears, dinosaurs, crocodiles and much, much more. He would start his work from a picture, often a small and blurry one, that had particularly struck his imagination. Then he would continue working almost secretly and in total solitude. Only sometimes he would talk about the problems he had to deal with – the good rendering of the model’s features such as paws, claws, eyes, proportions. Every time though he would come out with a new, pleasant surprise. My brothers and I are the consignees of this amazing heritage. We like to call it “Adolfo’s wooden zoo”. Its very special features, the unbelievable patience it took to create it, its unique taste, its harmony all speak of the spontaneous art skills a man of simple origin was endowed with. An example of such an incredible crafsmanship and patience can be seen in his parrots, herons, crows and barn owls – their feathers are made of tiny leather strips punched and assembled in a scaled roof tile fashion (see: feather details). Whoever has the chance to see and touch these animals gets charmed by their special energy. That makes us – the children – feel great as it perpetuates the memories of our Father. This “gallery” is a tribute to him. Personally, I like to find a liaison in his work between his animals and mine. So let’s share these emotions: my Father’s tiny beasties.
"My father Adolfo"
"My family 1960"
"My father, brother and I while they working the hemp" 1960 ca. Finale Emilia (Mo)
- My father Adolfo Dallolio, who was born in 1911 and passed away in 2003, was an energetic and indefatigable farmer first, then a bricklayer and an excellent cobbler. Gifted with an exceptional, natural craftsmanship (and in order to satisfy an inner impulse), when he retired several years ago he started carving in wood a whole series of very nice tiny animals using whatever tool he had at hand – cobbler’s, bricklayer’s… – and any kind of wood, even the less adequate one.Thanks to the imagination, the creativity and the amazing knowledge of the models he was endowed with he created a whole zoo: ultra-light hummingbirds, sweet, delicate white doves, mighty rhinos, aggressive, majestic eagles, pigs with their piglets, elegant herons and seagulls, colorful parrots, puffins, blackbirds, penguins, whales, dolphins, cows, turtles, zebras, owls, panda bears, dinosaurs, crocodiles and much, much more. He would start his work from a picture, often a small and blurry one, that had particularly struck his imagination. Then he would continue working almost secretly and in total solitude. Only sometimes he would talk about the problems he had to deal with – the good rendering of the model’s features such as paws, claws, eyes, proportions. Every time though he would come out with a new, pleasant surprise. My brothers and I are the consignees of this amazing heritage. We like to call it “Adolfo’s wooden zoo”. Its very special features, the unbelievable patience it took to create it, its unique taste, its harmony all speak of the spontaneous art skills a man of simple origin was endowed with. An example of such an incredible crafsmanship and patience can be seen in his parrots, herons, crows and barn owls – their feathers are made of tiny leather strips punched and assembled in a scaled roof tile fashion (see: feather details). Whoever has the chance to see and touch these animals gets charmed by their special energy. That makes us – the children – feel great as it perpetuates the memories of our Father. This “gallery” is a tribute to him. Personally, I like to find a liaison in his work between his animals and mine. So let’s share these emotions: my Father’s tiny beasties.
"My father Adolfo"
"My family 1960"
"My father, brother and I while they working the hemp" 1960 ca. Finale Emilia (Mo)
