A photography exhibition dedicated to the late John Callisto will debut during the Adelaide Italian Festival 2024, showcasing his life-long adoration of Italian culture. Titled “Live and Love the Italian Way,” the exhibition features 35 meticulously selected photographs that capture the essence of Italian life, both locally in Adelaide and across Italy.
John Callisto passed away unexpectedly in 2022 at the age of 53, leaving a significant void in the community. The upcoming exhibition, curated by his wife Claudia Callisto, serves not only as a celebration of Italian culture but also as a profound personal homage.
“I hope I’m not just biased because it was my John…. but I think he was talented. He was very humble about it though and downplayed everything. Looking at his photographic images always made me feel like he was still beside me and I often felt better in my heart as I knew that he was once looking at those same images through his lens. He saw a beautiful world on the other side of his camera lens and he was great at capturing the essence of people,” Claudia shared.
Driven by a desire to preserve and honour John’s legacy, Claudia found solace in his expansive collection of photographs following his funeral. As an Australian-Italian cultural storyteller herself, she has approached the exhibition with a deep sense of purpose.
“I want to ensure that his memories will stay with his family and friends forever inside their hearts and minds and maybe on walls of family, friends and people all over the world. They have his electronic signature on them that I designed,” she said.
John’s initial passion for photography began at age 16 when he received his first professional camera. Throughout his career, he captured numerous vibrant and telling images of everyday Italian life, both during his travels in Italy and at home in Rostrevor. Some highlighted works at the exhibition were taken during a memorable solo trip to Puglia, a surprise gift from Claudia, alongside others from various Italian locales and local scenes.
Born and raised in Rostrevor, Adelaide, to Italian immigrant parents from Molinara, Campania, John’s life was deeply interwoven with his Italian heritage and community. A father, husband, brother, and friend, his photographs reflect not only the beauty he saw in the world but also the depth and warmth of human connections.
The exhibition “Live and Love the Italian Way” opens in Rostrevor and will travel to Hindmarsh and Melbourne. The official opening on 10 November 2024 is already sold out, but the exhibition will move to The City of Charles Sturt Council Hindmarsh Library from 23 November until 22 January 2025. To accommodate his fans and photography enthusiasts, unframed reprints of John’s work will be available at the exhibition venues and can be ordered directly.
As this remarkable exhibition prepares to welcome visitors, it promises not only to capture true Italian life and culture but also is a touching tribute to a man who viewed the world through a unique and passionate lens.
For more information, and to purchase tickets, click here.
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