Antonello Piccinino, born in Lanciano (Ch), created his first piece of graffiti art in the early 1990s, signing his work “Macs”, a pseudonym that he continues to use as his “artist’s name”.
Graffiti artist, graphic designer and illustrator, Macs is one of the best known street and graffiti artists in Italy and abroad, famed particularly for his characters (portraits, characters and images). He collaborates with globally renowned writers and street artists and over the years has produced a vast array of wall art, been included in countless exhibitions and taken part in national and international writing festivals. Macs is self-taught and irrespective of the techniques he employs – ranging from pencil, acrylic and oil to spray can – he has a recognisable style and leaves clear messages on walls around the city, electrical substations and canvas. His characters have travelled the world, their disarming expressivity leaving spectators speechless; not only are they beautiful to look at, but they tell of so much. Macs does not place them on the city streets out of artistic habit, but to encourage observers to reflect, to force them to think through a strong image, his characters. This is the one and only pleasure Mac allows himself: to enchant us, to make our mouths fall open as we look at his work.