Daniele Fortuna

Italian, b. 1981

Italian artist Daniele Fortuna attempts to popularize the mythological figures he has admired since childhood by producing pixelated wooden sculptures, often painted in bright neon hues. After completing his studies at the European Institute of Design Milan, Fortuna began working for a lighting studio in Ireland where his experience working with wood inspired him to design sculptures with the material. His sculptures often depict gods and heroes from classical mythology; each is composed of several hand-cut plywood boards that are assembled together and painted. Works from his “Colormination” series, such as Aphrodite Colormination (2021), are painted white on the exterior; a section of the sculpture is then spliced open to expose surprising kaleidoscopic color gradients on the inside.

Daniele FortunaWorks & Biography

Italian, b. 1981, Milan - Daniele Fortuna is an Italian sculptor known for merging classical mythology with the bold language of Pop culture. Working primarily in carved wood layered and painted in vibrant acrylic hues, Fortuna creates “pixelated” sculptures that bridge antiquity and contemporary visual culture. From timeless figures such as Venus and Zeus to modern icons like Batman and Mickey Mouse, his work reimagines mythological and popular subjects through stacked wooden forms and luminous neon color. Fortuna brings the past into dialogue with the present. After studying at the European Institute of Design in Milan, Fortuna’s experience working in a lighting studio in Ireland deepened his engagement with wood as a primary material—an influence that continues to define his sculptural practice today.

Daniele Fortuna, Monalisa, 2023, Wood, 27.5H x 19 3/4 W x 17 3/4D In.

Daniele Fortuna, La Grande Odalisque, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 2025, Painted Wood, 48w x 23H x 19D Inches.

Daniele Fortuna, Imagine All the People, Wood and Acrylic Paint, 27.5 27.5 x 2.5 In.

Daniele Fortuna in his Studio

Daniele Fortuna at Art Miami Art Fair

Daniele Fortuna, Nymph, 2022, Wood, 58H x 30W x 30W in.

Daniele Fortuna, Mickey, 2022, Wood, 50H x 30W x 30W In.

Daniele Fortuna, Aphrodite Venus, 2021, Painted Wood, 81 ½ H x 47 ¼ W x 29 ¾ D In.

Daniele Fortuna, Venus de Milo, 2022, Wood, 64H x 20W x 20W in.

Daniele Fortuna, All Together on the Wall, Wood and Acrylic Painting, 70W x 29H x 12D In.

From the captivating dream-worlds of mythology, Daniele Fortuna channels his childhood fascination into stunning works of art. Each sculpture merges timeless figures with modern flair, blending intricate craftsmanship and bold contemporary color to create a vivid, three-dimensional narrative.Today, he brings these childhood heroes to life and gives them a third dimension in the form of intricate wooden sculptures with a splash of contemporary colour. The artist graduated from the European Institute of Design in Milan, after which he spent a few years studying abroad in Ireland, only to move back and found his studio in Piacenza, where he has been working on his sculptures ever since. These unique statues consist of individual pieces of wood that are cut by hand, assembled like a puzzle and hand painted, thus transforming the material beyond recognition. His sculptures establish a connection, a bridge over time, between elements of traditional Italian art and pop-art expression. I have always believed that it is important to recognize the "truth" in messages that come from the past and I want to reaffirm and update these messages through a new visual language. Daniele Fortuna currently lives and works in Cornovecchio, Italy.

Artist statement

Italian sculptor born in 1981 in Milan. Fortuna studied at the European Institute of Design in Milan and spent time working in a lighting studio in Ireland, which deepened his engagement with wood as a primary material. He currently lives and works in Cornovecchio, Italy. His practice merges classical mythology with contemporary pop culture, reimagining timeless figures alongside modern icons through layered, hand-painted carved wood in vibrant acrylic hues.