Diver UP Website

The inspiration and symbolism behind “Diver UP” refer to the Age of Aquarius, where metamorphosis and spiritual awakening lie in the air. The combination of an industrial helmet juxtaposed against the feminine form in its purest state highlight the contrast of man-made versus Mother Earth. The motif shows the Goddess freeing herself of the controlling force that has been imposed on her, a metaphor for society, history and mankind. She represents all women. The intention of “Diver UP” is to open up a conversation about a new world of equality and, within that, the divine feminine goddess celebrating womankind and mankind in unison. A beautiful new world that invites/allows/accepts/celebrates everyone for their individuality as part of the NOW.

I took the Original photograph of Diver UP in the magical Mediterranean, in 2005.

The 2019 Burning Man Diver UP was made from wood at 8 feet and we torched her on ‘The Mans' ashes after he burned. This was a metamorphoses of sort because now we are planning to bring her back to Burning Man in 2021 as a giant 24 + foot interactive steel structure.

Please stay tuned and please donate if you wish to be a part of this vision of mine. The donation buttons are on the bottoms of the page below.

With deep appreciation,

Victor Spinelli :)

Shown here is the Bronze (Edition of 33). The Bronze with 24K Gold plating (Edition of 12). A Bronze with a Pure Silver plating (Edition of 12). A bronze with a Chrome plating. (Edition of 33). The Burning Man Diver UP on fire.

Following are some resin pieces plus a few of my painted commssions with different backgrounds and flags. I have been commissioned to paint about 30 different national flags with Diver UP. They’re hanging all across the planet.. :)

A scintillating collection of fun & erotic photographs that are weaving their way into the pop culture of the 21st century.  Fine art photography. All images copyright © Victor Spinelli Archive

Celebrities that have sat for me. All images © Victor Spinelli Archive

Celebrities , Hollywood , TV , Film

A range of portraits that I took of USA Olympic gold medalists and others. ©Victor Spinelli

Olympians, sports photography, olympian portraits, USOC,

Tropic of Ouzo is a 132 page graphic novel based on my film script. When Lockdown of COVID hit in March 2020 I embarked on this project. The time and space was now available for me to create this novel, which took me 9 months to complete all of the artwork, wording, colouring, etc.

The story is based in Mykonos, Greece and involves contemporary DJ, club, beach life with a smattering of Greek Gods and Goddess mingling amongst the humans. A dark comedy as such. Sexy and captivating.

My creative process was executed through a very disciplined art schedule. I never thought it would take such a long period of time but it was well worth the learning experience for the quality result. And now I am one step closer to shooting this movie, which so happens to be my number one goal of my artistic career. It’s been a dream since I started writing this script in 1999. I am now in search of a producer, talent, director, etc to put this flick in the can and on the silver screens.

The graphic novel is based on the original film script, “Cigarettes, Ouzo & Dynamite written by myself and Steven Briante.

STOP PRESS: Now viewing at the Xposed Gallery, on The Highline in NYC is The Walrus. 19th street on the Highline.

Synopsis of the project: As human development continues, we are endangering many species on the planet and driving them to extinction. Therefore I have learned to reassemble (articulate) real animal skeletons and skulls and put them on crosses that I have designed and built. The process of learning to articulate these skeletons and my foray into sculpture has been very enlightening.

CRUCIFIXION before Jesus was originally intended for prisoners of war, criminals, adulterers and slaves, etc, etc. And we are treating many animals as slaves for our diets.

Does extinction have a cost?

This series consists of 5 environmental art sculptures that I assembled to help further critical awareness of our fellow sentient beings on our planet.

1-The Walrus Skull is 50 years old, has 18 inch ivory tusks with Native scrimshaw carved into them. A cultural artifact in itself.

2-The African Lion skull is quite significant because of its unfortunate status of almost being endangered.

3-The 8 foot American Alligator skeleton is positioned similar to the Egyptian God Sobek.

4-The first skeleton that I completed was the Monkey. I thought that being a primate it would be easiest but it still took me 40 hours of research, drilling and wiring to complete.

5-Finally, I put together the Lynx Bobcat. Another beautiful yet unfortunate endangered animal.

This series debuted at Aqua Art Miami during Art Basel week in Miami in December 2015.

Materials used: Animal skeletons, steel, copper, brass, wood, blood, sweat and tears.

Animal conservation , Animal skeletons , Save the animals , Victor Spinelli Art

The series explores the Human condition of risk taking, gambling, chance and discovery.  Each unique piece is hand painted on a 24 inch diameter disk of solid wood. 1 inch thick.  100% POP!   ©Victor Spinelli 2016

Casino Chips, Las Vegas, casinos, poker, poker chips, pop art,

This is an art project that I’ve had in my head for 2 years and it’s my first ever foray in the plastic arts of ceramics. This installation series is based on a enriching Jurema experience and touches upon DMT and consciousness.

What matters? Do you matter? Do I matter? What is matter?

We live in a world of collective consciousness and in these dramatically shifting times I sense good days ahead. The truths are coming out. People are becoming exposed. Love will always win, with harmony and peace following. The Age of Aquarius is upon us .

This #consciousnessArtSeries of mine will radiate this message but I have a few more elements to add, and many more heads. 33 in total. Below are a sampling of some of them plus artist proofs. Enjoy.

Hands down and across the board, these are your front runners, with a couple of dark horses mingled in. Those funny little jockeys….

All painted on wood with resin. ©Victor Spinelli

Beast of Burden. The meaning is essentially any animal that has been “domesticated” by humans and trained to carry or pull heavy loads, such as oxen, horses, camels, elephants, etc. But who are the real beasts? Who is burdening who? And who has lost the collective consciousness between animals? Humans. We are riding these animals to death in our “advancement” of ruling this planet, yet we have unconnected ourselves spiritually from the same animals that have help propel our civilization. ©Victor Spinelli Art.

An idea and a pencil sketch born on the sands of Aguas Blancas in Ibiza during July of 2018. Here is the first of my Shenanigan Series. These dancers of Ibiza represent the frivolity and fun that is life. Dancers that do not take life too serious. Remember that it is the journey that counts and not the destination.

The original pencil sketch version will be made in a autographed and numbered Limited Edition. Shown are the Acrylic paintings.

QUEEN PULP is an ongoing series that incorporates original photographs from my "Camera Verité" collection with a twist of spice from the genre of pulp fiction covers that shook Americana, circa 1950's. All are on canvas and limited in numbers. Mixed media and painted with synthetic polymer paint. ©Victor Spinelli

queen pulp, pulp fiction, comic, mixed media

The Queen and her coins.... Queen Elizabeth II’s likeness has graced more coinage than any other human in history. All are painted on 12 inch diameter wood with a resin coating.