Today we’d like to introduce you to Filippo Giusti.
Hi Filippo, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am Italian and lived in Rome, where I trained as an actor and photographer. In 2017, I met Paulina, my fiancée, and one year later I decided to move to Mexico with her.
At that time, painting was not part of my life. In fact, I had stopped drawing when I was very young, having grown up with the idea that being a painter meant struggling financially and that your paintings would only be wprth something after death.
Everything changed after I moved to Mexico in 2018. While living in San Miguel de Allende, I visited Fabrica La Aurora — a former textile factory turned into an art and design center. For the first time, I saw artists living from their work. I spoke directly with painters, asking them if it was truly possible to make a living through art. That moment shattered a belief I had carried for almost three decades.
From that moment on, there was no turning back. Entirely self-taught, I learned through YouTube, Instagram and online resources, observation, and constant practice. I also had to reprogram my belief system. Over time, this evolved into what I now call my Essentialist style, which has become the foundation of my practice.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The obstacles and difficulties came before I began painting — probably driven by my ego, or by a lack of tools and information. I didn’t know how to step away from a place that was no longer healthy for me, like acting, out of fear of failure. It was only when I finally allowed myself to let go that I was rewarded with the discovery of my true path: painting.
I met my fiancée, Paulina, who comes from a city deeply connected to art, and moving to San Miguel de Allende placed me in an environment where art is genuinely valued. Arriving at Fábrica La Aurora was a turning point for me. Being surrounded by artists who were living from their work made everything feel possible. I truly believe that when you are on the right path, things begin to align in your favor and you almost feel like the luckiest person in the world.
That said, the real work happened internally. I had to change many habits from my former bohemian life as an actor in Rome. I had to unlearn and reprogram long-held beliefs about money, success, and what it means to be an artist. This required discipline, consistency, and a lot of inner work through reading, self-reflection, and daily practice.
So while the external circumstances were generous, the transformation demanded commitment. And that combination—alignment and discipline—is what truly shaped my journey.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is defined by an approach I call **Essentialism**.
At the core of my artistic vision is an invitation to move beyond immediate judgments based solely on appearances, and instead to pause, reflect, and cultivate empathy. I’m interested in what lies beneath the surface—what we often overlook when we rush to define others too quickly.
Before I begin a painting, I always start with conversation. I listen, observe, and engage in dialogue with the person I’m portraying, allowing their story to guide my use of color and form. Through this process, I aim to translate human experience into a visual language. My portraits explore vulnerability, diversity, and empathy, and seek to create a genuine emotional connection between the subject and the viewer.
I have exhibited my work in galleries across Mexico and Europe, as well as in various international art fairs. Among the highlights of my career are my participation in the *Art for Tomorrow* event within the framework of the Venice Biennale, my solo exhibition at the Museum of Art of Querétaro, and more recently, my solo show at the Club de Industriales in Mexico City, where I created a piece in dialogue with Rufino Tamayo.
Looking ahead to 2026, I will be presenting two solo exhibitions in museums in Mexico, as well as participating in a collective exhibition in New York.
The purpose behind my art is what I feel most proud of. I really believe that promoting empathy and fighting superficial judgement is so needed in society and can create a huge impact in how we interact with each other.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.filippogiusti.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filippogiusti.art?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/filippo-giusti-544b496a/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@filippogiusti.art1?si=9DzOFlRS7sgUCxtB
Image Credits
Pablo Velasco
