“Ars Gratia Artis” Exhibit

The elegant term “Ars Gratia Artis” translates to mean “Art for Art’s Sake.” These words embody and define the work of Giuseppe Lordpepper Soliyo, a versatile and highly creative artist whose work is currently on display at Spring Hill’s Ever After Gallery. “Ars Gratia Artis,” in fact, is a collection of works by this resident artist at Ever After, 13053 Spring Hill Dr, Spring Hill, which will be on display through the month of May.

This vibrant and colorful selection of painted portraits displays modernistic and highly novel interpretations of classic images, many of them revolving around renowned world leaders and famous artists, along with graceful and majestic animals of the wild.

Pepper, as he often is called, is a lifelong artist who has been honing his craft for nearly a half-century now. “My passion for art started when I was a young kid, and I am 50 years old now,” he said.

It is his passion for art, in fact, that inspired the title and theme of his current exhibit. Pepper stated, “‘Ars Gratia Artis’ is a Latin meaning ‘Art for the Art.’ I enjoy making art, for art!”
The exhibit emphasizes his love for pop art in particular. “I started to make a portrait of an icon pop artist and put myself in the mood of pop art,” Pepper said.

Pepper truly considers himself a multimedia artist. “Usually, I work with oil on canvas, but I like to try all the techniques,” he said.

This isn’t the first time that Pepper has displayed his signature artistic works via a public exhibition. “I was 17 years old when I had my first exhibit of portraits done in pencil in Taranto, Italy,” he said.

The exhibit marks the latest milestone in Pepper’s longstanding partnership with Ever After Gallery. “I have been a resident tattoo artist at Ever After Gallery for about a year now, after several years of stalking them, because they are the best in the area!” Pepper said. “After receiving an invitation to have an exhibition at Ever After Gallery, I challenged myself to get out of my comfort zone of the neo-classic renaissance style that I have been painting for years.”

In coordinating this exhibition, he had one goal in mind. He strived to make something different and enjoy the freedom of Pop Art.

Pepper is proud to share his special art brand with the Hernando public. “It feels good to share the passion of art with others,” he said, “especially when they enjoy what they see.”

Pepper, also a participating artist in the Featured Artists exhibit at Gallery 201, plans to make much more beautiful, one-of-a-kind art in the future. “My plans for the future are to continue learning and challenging myself.” he said. “Making art is my life!”