Meet Antonello Arminu | Craftsman, Woodworker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Antonello Arminu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Antonello, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from Pattada, a small village in the middle of Sardinia, full of artisans and old crafts, partially forgotten. Including the traditional “resolza”, a handmade knife known worldwide.
This is one of the many reasons that led me to choose this path in my life, abandoning the idea of moving abroad – an idea that I took into consideration before starting my brand Rebelles.
Indeed, one of the reasons that prevented me from leaving home is the bond with my homeland, to which I feel bound by birth.
Since childhood I was fascinated by master knifemakers, with their sounds and colors through the town’s streets. Those sounds attracted the attention of many tourists who came all the way here to admire the inspiration and the creativity of those skilled craftsmen.
Growing up I realized that I could create something concrete here, in my homeland, capturing all the nuances: shapes, colors, smells.
I live on an Island surrounded by the sea, with places that stimulate my inspiration every day.
It’s easy to move a few kilometers and find different landscapes, with the sea immediately after a mountain.
That’s what I want to communicate through my art: I find inspiration in imperfect geometries, in the shapes that remind me of the waves of the sea, in the profiles of the wooden masks that remind ancient traditions, in the colors of the local wood that remind me of the sunsets by the sea.
Turning this into my products has always been a great honor for me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In my experience, a lesson I learned is the importance of diversity. Everyone has their own personality; it can hide into the depths of the mind, but when it comes out, everything becomes clearer.
In many cases, personality is the most powerful weapon we have, if you can find it, you don’t need to rack your brains too much; everything will be more instinctive and real.
The most intriguing thing is the possibility to involve people (in this case the customers) in buying an item not imposed by the market – an item that belongs to you and identifies you. All this without any hassle.
and this is one of the things that make me very proud, the greatest motivation to continue my journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Obviously, our trip starts from my village, Pattada, where it’s possible to admire the local arts and crafts. Walking along the streets in the historic center we can encounter some “isperaglias”, old windows, typical of Pattada, from which I took inspiration for the logo of Rebelles. Leaving the village, we can go for a hike in the mountains surrounding the town, rich in centuries-old wood, different landscapes and archaeological sites. Moving in the south-central part of Sardinia, we can have a stop for lunch in “Domu Antiga” in Gergei, where you can cook together with the chefs of the local restaurant to prepare the traditional dishes of local cuisine.
After a few kilometers, we reach the Pinuccio Sciola Museum in San Sperate, where you can appreciate many of the works of this great artist in the “Giardino sonoro”, a true open-air museum.
Then, we can drive to Barumini to admire the majesty of “Su Nuraxi”, a Nuragic archaeological site, included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
After a detour to the East, we’ll get to Ulassai, in the Ogliastra region, to be fascinated by the beauty of the “Tacchi”, high rock formations that attract climbers from all over the world.
Then, we can drive to Mamoiada, a town famous for its traditions, including the suggestive masks of the “Mamuthones” still handmade by the local craftsmen.
Then, a stop in Nuoro, to have a coffee and visit the MAN museum, which hosts world-renowned artists in its exhibition space. Finally, we skirt along the East coast of Sardinia, immersed in the magnificent landscape of Gallura region, to arrive in Aggius, an authentic hamlet, and take the opportunity to visit the many museums.
We move to the West to end the trip in Alghero, a beautiful town along the edge of the sea, where we can walk through the streets of the historic center to get one of the many terraces overlooking the sea; a perfect place for a drink while watching the sunset.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe a debt of gratitude to those who, even unconsciously, inspired me, to those who stood by me and helped and encouraged me through the hard times
Pinuccio Sciola, a Sardinian artist who inspired me through the shapes and the sounds of his “Giardino sonoro” (“Sound Garden”).

Costantino Nivola, a Sardinian artist known worldwide.

My homeland and its nature, first source of inspiration

All the people I worked with, because they have given me the ability to look beyond

The music, huge source of inspiration

A special thanks to my friends, which have always supported and helped me to distract myself in everyday life

Thanks to Claudio, Bastiano, Stefano and Jessica which helped me in foreign relations.

Thanks to Silvia who often helped me to regain strength to continue my journey.

My cousins, many times close like siblings

Gianmario who made everything easier for me

Thanks to all my customers, who became friends, which gave importance and credibility to my work, and still do.

Instagram: rebelles sardinia_sardinia

Facebook: Rebelles Sardinia

Image Credits
image credit by : Maria Mercedes Corveddu, Francesca Camboni, Sergio Cuccu