Andrea Badami

1913 - 2002

Badami was a lively man who expressed his religious feelings and political opinions in allegorical and often complex works. Although his talent was evident in childhood drawings, circumstances prevented Andrea Badami from pursuing his artistic inclinations until later in life. Born to parents who immigrated to the United States from Italy, Badami and his parents returned to their native Corleone, Sicily when he was a child. As a young man, he was unwillingly drafted into Mussolini's army and despite his American citizenship, spent 6 years as a British prisoner of war. Upon his release in 1947, Badami returned to the United States, and within two years was able to send for his wife and young daughter in Sicily. His need to support a growing family postponed an artistic career until the 1960s.  Early in 1960, Badami saw some paintings in the Joselyn Museum in Omaha and shouted to himself, “Bunch of junk!  I can do better.”  Badami was full of stories to tell and experiences to pass on.  He could not express his pent-up emotions very well in English, so he painted them out as his view of life and people, his inner visions, his religious experiences, and his political commentaries. His work was touched by humor, love of family, love of God, and a recognition of the frailties of the world.  Although Badami often drew upon popular imagery (public figures or events) as a resource, most of this material was only vaguely recognizable in his paintings. ²