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Antonio Caruso with his bronze carving of St. Jean de Brebeuf and Joseph Chihatenhwa. The piece is part of Caruso’s exhibit running through the end of February at the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts. Photo by Vanessa Santilli

Since every saint has a story, artist Caruso will try to tell it

By 
  • February 15, 2012

RICHMOND HILL, Ont. - Artist Antonio Caruso’s Catholic faith has influenced him from a very young age. And as a sculptor and painter, it has had a strong impact on the artist he became and the various religious subjects he pursues.

Growing up in a very religious family in Italy, he lost his father when he was only 13 years old.

“But I always had visions of my father through Jesus,” said Caruso, who moved to Canada permanently with his family in 1995. The artist now lives in Woodbridge, Ont.

On Feb. 7, some of Caruso’s sculptures and paintings were on display at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, among which included a wood statue depicting the legend of St. George slaying a dragon, a bronze carving of St. Jean de Brebeuf and Joseph Chihatenhwa, a bronze bust of a child and various frescoes.

“Every saint has a story,” said Caruso.

While in old times, religious art was important to help educate those who couldn’t read, it serves a different purpose today, he said. Depictions of the saints helps us to understand them better, said Caruso.

“Through the figures of saints, we can better concentrate on our beliefs and prayers.”

Some of his works are displayed at different locations in the GTA, including St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Toronto, Immaculate Conception parish in Woodbridge and Epiphany of Our Lord Church in Scarborough.

His sculptures were also featured on Canada Post’s Christmas stamps in 2008 through 2010. And over the years, Caruso has been invited to showcase his work in Canadian galleries and churches from Thunder Bay to Edmonton, Calgary to Vancouver, Montreal to Toronto. 

The exhibit runs at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts until the end of February. There is no cost for admission. For more information on Caruso, see www.antoniocaruso.com.

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