As a street artist, he signs his amazing works as Peeta, but his name is Manuel Di Rita and he creates enormous optical illusions that seem to unfold outside of the flat surfaces of building gaining three-dimensional forms. Born near Venice in 1980, he combines elements typical of graffiti art to create works that seem to be transformed into complex architectural structures including abstract circle that cut through the walls.
Di Rita chose the name Peeta modifying his school nickname, Pita, to make it more appealing from a graphics point of view. He began creating his street art in 1993, but, unfortunately, his first mural has disappeared when the building he painted it on was demolished. Originally he used spray cans, but over the years he changed technique and started using acrylic paint, brushes, and rolls as the dimensions of his works became more and more imposing – however, for his canvas, he uses the more traditional oil paint. One of his most impressive works and most effective anamorphic experiments is the wall that he painted in 2016 for the Draw the Line Festival in Campobasso – its colors and shapes perfectly mingle with the surrounding context neutralizing preconceptions and urging the viewer to acquire new perspectives.
During the years Peeta is a member of the EAD crew (Padova, Italy), FX and RWK crews (New York City) and has participated, over the years, in jams, festivals, and art shows all over the world, as well as collaborating with other artists, including the Spanish Cinta Vidal.
A gallery of the most recent Peeta’s work:
Photos courtesy of the pressoffice.
Peeta’s official webiste