Antonio Pujia

By LatAm ARTE

Antonio Pujia, born in 1929 in the village of Polia, southern Italy, displayed an early interest in sculpture by creating clay toys from materials found near a nearby stream. In 1937, he immigrated to Argentina with his mother and sister, reuniting with his father who had left for South America when Antonio was two years old. Settling in Buenos Aires, he faced nearsightedness and began elementary school. His artistic talent emerged as he drew daily life scenes, including newspaper vendors and his teacher. Despite initial resistance from his father, a teacher recommended that Antonio pursue Fine Arts. With his mother’s support, he passed the entrance exam at the Manuel Belgrano School and became a dedicated student. Antonio worked hard to pay for his education, using his artistic skills in various jobs, including plaster molds .