To look upon a Dario Campanile canvas is to look at the vision of a man fascinated by colors and painting since he was six years old. Campanile, destined to be known as an evolutionary 20th century artist, has traveled around the world and watched his dreams unfold into brilliant reality.

Growing up in Rome, Italy, Dario discovered his talent for painting in the pure Classical style. However, his desires to pursue his individual aspirations made it impossible for him to remain within the confines of an art school.

He wanted to be his own teacher and cultivate a style that would be uniquely his. After meeting Georgio De Chirico in 1967, the great artist recognized Campanile’s talent for realism and inspired him in that pursuit. Soon thereafter he received honors for his exceptional “tromp l’oeil” (which literally means “trick of the eye”). His painting had become so realistic that they fooled the eye of the observer into believing the painting was a photograph.

In 1973, Campanile met Salvador Dali and his wife, Gala, in their home in Cadaques, Spain. Dali gave the young Campanile valuable encouragement and referred to him as a future master. The exchange spawned many new and

brilliant ideas in technique and composition for Campanile. His work moved into exploring surrealism, with each painting telling an imaginative story. Shortly after his meeting with Dali, Campanile came to the United States for a holiday. He was immediately invited to have a one man show with a prominent gallery in California. The overwhelming response to his work enabled him to leave his native land and move to America.

Campanile quickly became known throughout Hollywood. He was commissioned to paint album covers for Herbie Hancock and Lee Ritenour. He was selected from hundreds of artists to paint the 75th anniversary logo for Paramount Studios - the mountainous landscape which opens each of their films. Many other Hollywood names such as Valerie Harper, Lynn Stalmaster, Cheech and Chong, and Carl Weathers are collectors of Campanile’s work.

His figures evoke the classical Greek and Roman goddesses who are powerful and expressive while demonstrating Campanile’s prowess in rendering the human body beautifully. Campanile’s still-lifes, recognized for their suspension upon a floating glass plane, dramatically come alive with color, palpable texture and the most impeccable realism. He spends weeks, even months, bringing each piece to life. His paintings are an invitation to the senses, as one is taken on a magical visual journey, where ordinary objects are made extraordinary.