Ralph Sirianni wears proudly the title of “working artist.” It’s a role to which he’s aspired since his days as an art student at UB.

Sirianni’s career in creative art therapy at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Buffalo began in 1977. Learning to take control of “the horrible things that happened in Vietnam—using them in a way that has helped me express myself,” has helped him connect with hospital patients. He works primarily with people dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse, leading them in hands-on art, music and other creative projects.

Of course Sirianni pursues his art outside of his job. Over the years, he has focused his work on issues he feels the public needs to be aware of – patients in long-term care, the POW/MIA issue, the aftermath of 9/11, rape.

Sirianni says,"African Masks are a welcome departure from some of the more dark and serious subject matter I've done. As always, music often helps guide my directions in art. This new group of work was primarily inspired by the later sounds of Miles Davis. Along with that, I'd listened to various African music. I tried to avoid looking at African art books. I wanted to use the music as an artistic vehicle for creativity."

At 55, Sirianni compares his life in art with martial arts, his other passion. “When you get to the black belt in martial arts, that’s when the work begins. That’s when you really develop. I can correlate that with my art. I’m at that point where I set a goal but also found it’s only the beginning. Now I have to learn more.”

Sirianni’s long-term goal? “Just get up and paint in the studio and paint right through night, if I want to. That’s what I truly want to do. Right now,” he says, laughing, “I’m still looking at that clock.”

 

 

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