Sebastian Alterera

Artist Biography

Sebastian Alterera was born in New York in 1964. Although his family was financially challenged, his mother supplemented their income selling her sculpture in Greenwich Village. Her dedication to her artwork greatly impressed Alterera at a very young age. He began to accompany her when she would sell her work on sidewalks and to galleries, and soon began to sketch figures himself. At age 15, Alterera's father unexpectedly passed away. The loss greatly impacted Alterera, both emotionally and practically: his mother chose to move the family across the country to San Francisco to be with her parents. From this new sadness and solitude, Alterera quickly retreated into his art, which began to reflect the influence of nature on the human mind. The architecture, mountains and ocean in and around San Francisco became an infinite source of inspiration for his art, prints and posters.

Alterera was later accepted into the BFA program at the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida. His talent was recognized immediately, earning him the Best of Ringling Award two years in a row. Upon graduation, Alterera entered the MFA program at the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design. After receiving his MFA there in 1992, he embarked on further studies in Naples, Italy. Alterera's art, prints and posters flourished in Naples, inspired by the culture and heritage of that region.

Focusing mostly on figural painting, Alterera introduced several alternative methods of painting into his art, prints and posters, such as drip-painting and thick collage. After spending several years in Italy, Alterera returned to the U.S., and made a home in Atlanta. Alterera's art has been pursued by corporate and private collectors all across the United States. He continues to work primarily out of his Atlanta studio. He soon plans to open a second studio in Naples, where his art first truly came into its own.

Sebastian Alterera Art, Prints and Posters Collection