Artist Francesco Clemente with Sir Norman Rosenthal at 92ndY-Clemente was Poetic and Profound

Artist Francesco Clemente (b Italy 1962) is an internationally acclaimed artist.  He's lived for extended periods in Italy, India, China but claims New York City as home.  During the hour discussion photos  of Clemente's works were flashed on screen.  He was introduced to an excited audience by Sir Norman Rosenthal, exhibitions sec. of the Royal Acad of Arts (1977-2007.)  Sir Norman in his self-indulgent introduction of Clemente, described him as a close friend of Boetti & a leading figure of the Italian Transavanguardia movement of the 1980's.  The Transavanguardia movement refers to the resurgence of figurative symbolic works.  Sir Norman came across as an a erudite blowhard whose fawning was deflated by Clemente's eloquence & dismissive responses to his posturing.   Clemente, a charming & charismatic speaker, affirmed Boetti as his friend & mentor but rebuffed being classified within any art movement.  Clemente's stimulating talk was passionate & poetic.  When asked what he learned from Boetti, Clemente said he learned how to think as an artist.  Clemente is an autodidatic artist.  His philosophical conversation was stirring & thought provoking.  Though Sir Norman posed questions Clemente's responses were often tangental, negating or enigmatic.  Clemente's comments shared an enlightening introspective into the thought process within his creative mind:
"To be an artist, you ground yourself in a battle of which cruelty collaborates."
"Nothing is more powerful than making someone feel seen."
"Break boundaries of what you do which is also your limits."
"Artist is an artificial notion.  Art comes alive in the eyes of another person."
"Mastery comes within painting & meditation.  You become completely present, a state where
   doors open."
"Art can't solve problems but from art, the world is perfect."
"Look at the gaps & spaces and find comfort there."
Sir Norman called Clemente and art angel.  "I like that" Clemente said.