ABOUT
Mad Mac
Art as an Expression of Passion and Freedom
Maurizio Colangiuli Grimaldi, better known as Mad Mac, has built a life around art, driven by an unwavering passion and bold choices.
Born in 1966, his journey with drawing and painting began as a child when he turned every school assignment into an excuse to pick up a pencil. Volcanoes from science lessons became explosions of color, and geography maps came alive under his strokes—his talent, it seems, was always in his DNA.
His teenage years were an explosion of creativity. Inspired by the sci-fi worlds of Star Wars, Alien, and Space: 1999, as well as Marvel and DC comics, he spent countless hours crafting imaginary worlds on paper. However, his artistic talent faced challenges at home, where art wasn’t seen as a “practical” career. After enduring years in technical studies that left him unfulfilled, Mad Mac made the bold decision to follow his heart and enrolled in an art high school. There, he discovered the foundations of drawing, exploring light and shadow effects (chiaroscuro), three-dimensionality, and live sketching, while drawing inspiration from the great masters like Caravaggio and Michelangelo.
Over time, Mad Mac has honed a wide range of self-taught painting techniques. From graphite drawing to ink pens and ballpoint pens, airbrushing, acrylics, oils and watercolours, he has always explored new expressive possibilities. His style, deeply realistic but never hyperrealistic, stands out for its ability to capture emotions and imperfections.
“From afar, my works might look hyperrealistic, but up close, you’ll see the brushstrokes, the flaws, the soul of the piece. Perfection doesn’t exist, and that’s what makes each painting unique and alive.”
In the 1980s, the Hip-Hop movement hit him like a wave of pure energy. Inspired by funk and rap music, his sketches leapt off the page and onto the walls of his city. Graffiti full of vitality became his calling card, and soon, he was transforming the walls of local clubs, discos, and pubs into vibrant canvases.
Even when circumstances led him into the world of advertising as an illustrator and graphic designer, Mad Mac never strayed far from pure art. After working with several agencies, he launched his own boutique graphic design studio with Barbara, his partner in life and creativity, offering advertising consultations and creating projects that blended artistry with strategy.
In 2008, his love for Custom Culture gave rise to Pinupart, a project celebrating curves in all their forms: the sinuous elegance of pin-up models and the powerful lines of vintage cars and motorcycles. This venture took him to Kustom Kulture gatherings across Italy, where his unique style left a lasting impression.
In 2013, Mad Mac took another bold step, leaving the fast-paced world of advertising behind to move to the Canary Islands with Barbara. Together, they founded Jardin del Mar, an artisanal workshop where reclaimed wood is transformed into decorative pieces full of history and character. This project allowed him to merge creativity, craftsmanship, and environmental awareness.
Today Mad Mac is a mature and free artist. He paints without restrictions, exploring subjects ranging from vintage vehicles to portraits, from landscapes to wildlife, always guided by one principle: to feel inspired and to inspire others.
“Art is absolute freedom. I paint what moves me and what excites me, without rules or limits. Every piece is an adventure, and the best part is that I never know exactly where it will take me. Maybe that’s the secret: letting passion and inspiration chart the course.”
Maurizio Colangiuli Grimaldi – Mad Mac Art