Brookline, MA
About Luca Ricco:
Luca Ricco, born in Italy in 1962, was trained as a painter and an architect. In 1994 he moved to the States where he worked as an architect and painted in his free time. In 2003 Luca was diagnosed with a Meningioma brain tumor and had to undergo surgery to remove it. The operation left him completely paralyzed and unable to speak. After a month of rehabilitation Luca was able to regain the ability to walk with the assistance of a cane and was able to re-learn some of his native Italian with the help of a teacher.
While spending time at the rehab facility Luca started to draw as a recreational activity. Although he had been trained as an artist the effects of the surgery left him unable to resume his previous practices. Over the course of the month he also began painting with watercolors. However, since his right side had been paralyzed, he had to completely re-learn how to draw and paint with his left hand. During his difficult rehabilitation Luca had a hard time communicating with other people. He used drawing and watercolors as a way to express himself.
Luca created all the work you see on TurningArt left-handed.

Selected exhibitions
- "I Have a Dream" watercolor and sketches Group exhibit, Spaulding Hospital - Boston, MA, 2010
- Boston Drawing Project, Watercolors, Carrol and Sons Gallery - Boston, MA, 2009
- "Images of Brookline, Past and Present" Group watercolor exhibit, New England Institute of Art - Boston, MA, 2009
- "Red" Juried watercolor exhibit, University Place Gallery - Cambridge, MA, 2009
- Boston Drawing Project: 10 Years On and Going Strong Group exhibit, Carrol and Sons Gallery - Boston, MA, 2009
Education
- University of Rome "La Saplenza", Degree in Architecture with a major in Architectural History and Historic Restoration - Rome, Italy,1993
- Accademia di Belle Arti, Courses in figural and anatomical drawing and painting - Rome, Italy,1989
- Studio "D" , Studied painting and graphic techniques with Carlo Donati - Rome, Italy,1987
Press Accolades
- Solo Exhibition Opening Reception Featured in the Boston Globe Sidekick - March 10, 2006