Antonio Papa

Antonio Papap was born on 9 February 1964 in Surano di Lecce and showed innate artistic talent from an early age. He attended the state art school in Poggiardo and in 1979 was admitted to the Tito Shipa Conservatory of Music in Lecce, where he studied organ and organ composition.
Fascinated by the papier-mâché statues in churches, he decided to attend, alongside his studies, the prestigious workshop in Lecce run by master papier-mâché artist Antonio Malecore and sculptor Ugo Malecore, who introduced him to the study of anatomy and the golden proportions of classical sculpture.
To showcase his exceptional artistic skills, he opened a workshop in Surano (Lecce) at 16 Via Ugo Foscolo. He specialises in the creation of large sacred statues inspired by the great tradition of Lecce papier-mâché. His compositions are particularly meticulous in their anatomical details and drapery, with great attention also paid to the colouring, resulting in sculptures of considerable artistic value.