Charles Fazzino Commemorating 9/11 With Pop Art
9/11: A Time of Remembrance
The legendary pop artist Charles Fazzino wants the 9/11 first responders to be “touched” when viewing his new work 9/11: A Time of Remembrance at the Carlton Fine Arts Gallery on Madison Avenue. “I’m hoping that when they look at the artwork, they feel the same way I did creating it,” the NYC artist said. “That it’s a triumph and a milestone of 20 years of putting that behind us because it’s changed all of our lives.” The NY Mets star Pete Alonso helped unveil the work at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and a portion of all sales of the art and the prints will go to the museum. carltonfa.com
Superbowl & Grammy Awards
Fazzino’s love for 3D pop art stems from his childhood fascination with pop-out books. He appreciates the wow factor 3D pop art can bring. When Fazzino’s art commemorates milestones for events such as the Superbowl and Grammys, his works are colorful, lighthearted, and bright. To move away from this for his 9/11 memorial piece, Fazzino said was difficult. To draw inspiration, he did try to overlook the sadness and horrors of the 9/11 terrorist attack and instead looked to the future. “I researched 9/11 and I just physically and mentally put aside the horrors and I said, ‘Okay, this happened and I’m going to then draw the outcome of that and how that makes me feel, and it’s great that I can do that,’” Fazzino said.
The Twin Towers
Fazzino says it’s an honor to have his art shown in the 9/11 Museum and Carlton Fine Arts and believes moments like these are what artists live for. Fazzino’s dramatic work commemorating the 20th anniversary of 9/11 has an ethereal depiction of the Twin Towers that look as though they’re disappearing into an American flag –– with, of course, a pop twist. “I live to have people, the masses, see the artwork. Unless these organizations show your work, it doesn’t do anything to have it hanging in your art studio and no one seeing it,” Fazzino said. “For me it was such an honor –– all of these organizations that have taken to my artwork –– it’s just humbling.”
Art Journey
Fazzino grew up with art being made all around him. His mother sculpted and made clothes from recycled material, and his father sketched shoe designs for stores like Saks Fifth Avenue.
Born in NYC, Fazzino took his first formal art class as a seventh-grader and at 16 started selling what he calls “little paintings” at an arts and crafts show in Westchester. He then pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree and graduated from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. “When I went to the school of Visual Arts in New York, back in the ’70s, I wanted to stand out as an artist. I put two ideas together — my love of 3D pop-out books and my love for art that is colorful and whimsical,” said Fazzino.
Michael Jackson & Julia Roberts
Over the years, Fazzino has gone from selling his art in galleries to being commissioned for events such as the Grammys and the 2016 Rio Olympics. His art is in collections in 25 countries, and his collectors include Julia Roberts and Michael Jackson. At the Grammys, Fazzino walked the red carpet, which he says is something “you can’t even imagine.” Although one part of him felt like he didn’t deserve to be there because he’s not a musical artist, another part of him recognized that he is, in fact, an artist who contributed to the evening. His artwork for the event was seen on the tickets, the program cover and the official poster. Since then, his works have been on display in the Grammy Museum.
First Love
Fazzino says he wouldn’t trade the life he has made for himself for anything. He noticed how his siblings were so “damn miserable” going to 9-to-5 jobs, whereas he couldn’t wait for the weekend to end so he could go back to his studio. “I think all artists have a different way of viewing the world. I think being an artist, and having a creative outlet has enhanced my life,” Fazzino said. “I think that’s what it is for artists, that when you’re doing something super creative, it’s not a job. It’s because it becomes your first love. And that’s how it is for me.” fazzino.com
