Umberto Adaggi (Italian-South African, b. 1944), Hatchling in the Wild

Relief carving in wood with oil paint, 2000, signed, inscribed to the verso, framed.

Frame dimensions 26 x 27 1/2 in.

Being Sold to Benefit Charitable Purposes in Eastern North Carolina

Born in Rome in 1944, Umberto received formal training as a still photographer in Italy before relocating to South Africa in the late 1960s. There, he immersed himself in the local film industry, contributing to television, feature films, and documentary productions.

Alongside his film work, Umberto began developing a distinct practice in wood carving. His sculptural relief panels—rendered in wood and painted with ritualistic motifs—are marked by a bold interplay of warm and cool tones. While clearly figurative, his imagery carries a layered symbolism that draws from both African and European cultural traditions. His work delicately balances these influences without allowing one to overshadow the other, reflecting a nuanced visual dialogue between the two worlds.

Umberto exhibited in the United States in 1998 and 1999, and continues to show his work in South Africa.

Good estate condition.