Cartapesta Giuseppe Riso

Giuseppe's passion for papier-mâché has deep roots. From a young age, he attended the workshop of Master Antonio Malecore, one of the most important Lecce papier-mâché masters of all time, and at a very young age, he joined his brothers in starting a shop/laboratory in the center of the city of Lecce. Here, for more than 30 years, he created and restored statues of various sizes, scrupulously following the traditional stylistic canons of Salento Sacred Art that dictate specific figures, expressions and even the colors to be used.

Also nicknamed the "tailor," because he specializes in the clothing stage, Giuseppe masterfully creates the papier-mâché clothes that dress the bodies of the characters, giving them folds and shadows that give them a very special effect of movement. His is an important role that contributes to a trio of master craftsmen who have made Lecce's Cartapesta famous throughout the world.

But Giuseppe, the youngest of the brothers, is also the one who more than the others has always wanted to experiment and innovate in this fascinating world of papier-mâché. And it is precisely his desire for innovation that prompted him to start this year, a craft workshop of his own, where he will finally be able to place alongside the ever-present classical subjects, more artistic and creative works, released from traditional canons and more in line with current taste and decor.

His first creations include table lamps, modern characters, sculptures and artistic furniture; a touch of originality and freshness to the traditional art of papier-mâché and a tribute to the creativity of Lecce!