Keara McMartin
Director Studio Sem
2002
   


Studio Sem is located in Pietrasanta on the northwestern coast of Tuscany; 10 minutes from the beach and an hour to the peak of Mount Altissimo towering 1500 meters (5000 feet) above the plain (Map). The studio has become a point of reference world wide for the direct enlargement and reproduction of marble and granite sculpture; executing both classical reproductions from hundreds of models available in Pietrasanta and modern work on both small and monumental scales.
The surrounding Apuan Alps produce some of the finest white marble in the world as well as a variety of colored marble which has been utilized for both sculpture and architecture predating the Renaissance.

The Studio was founded in the 1950's by Sem Ghelardini who gained international notoriety producing the large scale works of Henry Moore, Emile Gilioli, Joan Mirò, Georges Adam and many other celebrated sculptors during the first wave of modern abstract sculpture in the 1960's.
The area is also a mecca for the importation of granite and marble from every corner of the world as well as support industries producing tools, abrasives, diamond encrusted saw blades, cutting wires and high tech computerized machines for architectural work.

Over forty years of experience have provided the studio with a high level of expertise for the execution of art works in marble, granite, onyx and stone.
The older artisans at the studio are of a generation that began their apprenticeships in sculpture studios at a very young age. They are now highly valued as master craftsmen and as teachers for the new generation of artisans.
Each member of the studio contributes a unique talent and disposition which is matched to both the sculpture and the needs of the sculptor.

Some artists entrust the execution of the entire sculpture to the studio, while others work in close collaboration with the artisans for the finishing of the work (Starting Your Project). Over the years the studio has widened its scope to co-ordinate and oversee corresponding architectural elements such as containment borders and reflecting pools for fountains, paving materials and support structures for large sculptures.

 

In expanding its scope, we now also produce a variety of mosaics in marble and granite, utilizing diverse techniques to fit the requirements of architects and sculptors . The development of new technology for the stone industry has facilitated many facets of work in stone that in the past have been labor intensive and expensive to produce. The advent of computerized machines commanding diamond tipped cutting heads and diamond wires with great accuracy can execute either wholly or in part most architectural elements as well as geometric sculptural forms, base relief, inlays and lathe turning of both round and oval forms.
Staff and artisans alike work together with architects and engineers on any given project to develop anchoring methods and resolve installation difficulties unique to stone.
Studio Sem is predicated on the ideology that quality and aesthetics are the most important aspects of producing art. All the members of the studio as well as our collaborators take pride in putting forth their best effort in the execution of both small and monumental works of art.

     
 
Studio Sem Scultori Associati Srl
Via Tiro a Segno.4 - 55045 Pietrasanta Lu Italy
Tel/Fax +39 0584 790733 - e-mail info@studiosem.net