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Ralph B. Sirianni | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Buffalo State College, University at Buffalo |
| Known for | Painting, Drawing, Designer |
Ralph B. Sirianni (January 2, 1949 - ) is an American painter, draughtsman, and monument designer.[1] A resident of Buffalo, New York, today, Sirianni works as a creative arts therapist for the Buffalo Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where he has been employed since 1977.[2] He also serves as a part-time continuing education instructor of portrait drawing with the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District and as a courtroom and police sketch artist.[3]
Early life
editRalph Sirianni was born in Buffalo, New York and grew up in Kenmore, New York.[4] From a young age, he demonstrated an interest in art. His brother, Mario, first taught him how to draw as a child.[5]
Growing up, Sirianni was most influenced by Italian artists Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo, and often tried to reproduce their works.[5] At age nine, he traveled to Italy with his parents, and for the first time saw the original artwork of his three childhood idols.[5] According to Sirianni, "Seeing the original masters' works touched something deep within my soul. Perhaps it was then that I'd realized my destiny: a life in art."[5]
Sirianni attended Kenmore West Senior High School, and at age 19, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served as an infantryman in the Vietnam War.[1][2] After completing his military career in 1972, Sirianni faced emotional challenges as he attempted to acclimate back into civilian life.[2]
Career beginnings
editIn the fall of 1974, Sirianni enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at the University at Buffalo.[2] As an undergraduate student, Sirianni studied under the guidance of art professor Walter Prochownik (1923–2000), who served as Sirianni's mentor.[2][4] Prochownik, himself, was a United States military veteran who had served in World War II and recognized the problems Sirianni was facing after his experience serving as a Marine infantryman in the Vietnam War.[2] Prochownik taught Sirianni how to express his emotion and sensory observations through art.[2] According to Sirianni, this form of expression helped him mentally confront "the horrible things that happened in Vietnam."[2]
Artwork
editPaintings
edit- War Themes Series (1981–Present)
- African-Influenced Period (1999–2000)
- Of My Blood Series (2001–2003)
- Peaceful World Series (2003–2008)
- Found Objects Series (2006–Present)
Drawings
editThroughout his professional career, Sirianni has been credited with helping to positively identify numerous murders, rapists, and other violent criminals as a volunteer police sketch artist.[3]
In 2007, police arrested serial killer Altemio Sanchez, who murdered at least three women and raped at least 14 others in and around Buffalo, New York over a span of 25 years (1981–2006).[3][6] Because many of his crimes took place near secluded bike paths, Sanchez is known as the "Bike Path Rapist."[6] In 2004, Sirianni was asked by police to create a sketch of the Bike Path Rapist based upon the account of one of Sanchez's rape victims.[6] The victim's encounter with Sanchez, however, had occurred a decade earlier, and so Sirianni had to "age" the victim's description by 10 years.[6] On December 2, 2006, Sirianni's sketch was broadcast nationally on the American television show, America's Most Wanted.[7] Sanchez was captured by police 45 days later, on January 15, 2007.[7]
In 2003, Sirianni was presented the Buffalo Police Detectives Association Award in recognition of his volunteer service as a sketch artist for the Buffalo Police Department.[4] The following year, Sirianni was given the City of Buffalo Mayor's Award of Merit, again for his artistic contributions to the Buffalo Police Department.[4]
Monument Designs
edit
In 2007, Sirianni was commissioned to design a monument for the Town of Tonawanda Veterans Memorial, a public memorial located in Walter M. Kenney Field in the Town of Tonawanda, New York. He created a seven-foot V-shaped Paradiso granite monument, standing for Veterans, to serve as the memorial's focal-point.[8][9]
References
edit- ^ a b Resume of Ralph Sirianni.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lazzara, Grace. (November 2004). Sirianni Alumni Profile. UB Alumni Association.
- ^ a b c Buscarino, Elena Cala. (May 6, 2008). "Ralph Sirianni to Show at Art Council Space". Buffalo Rising.
- ^ a b c d Chimera, Paul. (December 2005). "In Focus: Ralph Sirianni". After 50.
- ^ a b c d Ralph Sirianni: The Artist
- ^ a b c d Warner, Gene. (February 25, 2007). "Turning art into clues". The Buffalo News.
- ^ a b America's Most Wanted. (August 14, 2007). AMW Capture Data File for Altemio C. Sanchez.
- ^ Pye, Daniel. (May 5, 2009). "Vets Memorial gets the go-ahead". Tonawanda News.
- ^ Habuda, Janice L. (August 19, 2009). "Powell urges all to honor the veteran". The Buffalo News.
External links
edit- Ralph Sirianni portfolio
- National Museum of the Marine Corps
- "Art for Justice." Ralph Sirianni video lecture from March 31, 2007. Part 1, part 2, and part 3.