It is dedicated to the victims of Nazism and to the entire LGBTQ+ community
The central figure of my work is Mary, whom I chose to portray in her dual dimension both religious and historical as a universal mother, a timeless symbol of unconditional love: a love that accepts, protects, and embraces every human being without prejudice or distinction.
In this iconography, the Madonna does not cradle only the Child Jesus. In her gesture, she envelops all of humanity, symbolized by the Earth she gently holds in her hand. Her gaze, tender and luminous, is not directed solely at her Son, but extends to all sons and daughters—especially those who are homosexual represented by the male and female gay symbols held by the Christ Child.
To express an even deeper bond between Mary and her homosexual children, I placed the same heraldic symbols above her head, rendered in the vibrant colors of the Pride flag and flanked by two bouquets of flowers. These flowers carry a double meaning: one bouquet celebrates the joy of same-sex unions, while the other commemorates those whose lives were unjustly taken due to their identity.
This includes all victims of homophobic violence, especially those persecuted under the Nazi regime individuals marked by the pink triangle, forgotten by history and even, at times, by the LGBTQ+ community itself. My aim is to awaken memory and conscience. Through this sacred image, I offer a tribute of remembrance and a call for compassion.
Only Mary, I believe, can embody the sorrow of countless families who lost their children simply because they were ‘different.’ And only her universal love can serve as a spiritual bridge between the suffering of the past and the hope of the present.
Today, society is slowly changing. In many parts of the world, the LGBTQ+ community is regaining the dignity and recognition it deserves. Through this symbolic portrayal, I affirm Mary as the Mother of all humanity blind to difference, generous with her grace, and boundless in her love.
Raffaele Ciotola is a visionary Italian artist born in Naples on October 17, 1964. Encouraged from an early age by his loving and supportive mother, he pursued his artistic calling with dedication. He graduated from the Artistic High School and earned his Master of Arts degree from the prestigious State Institute of Arts “Filippo Palizzi” in Naples in 1983.
From a young age, Ciotola committed himself professionally to painting. After his debut in 1980 at an exhibition in his hometown, he continued to participate in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout Italy, including in Piano di Sorrento, Naples, Milan, and Viterbo, up until 2002.
In 1980, he was awarded the Gold Medal at the National Biennial of Sacred Art in Torre del Greco, presented by Professor Franco Girosi, one of the most renowned Neapolitan artists of the 20th century. His artistic formation was deeply influenced by Girosi and by Luigi Signore, a master sculptor known for his work in traditional Italian nativity scenes.
Ciotola also explored the world of music, studying voice at the Naples Conservatory. A pivotal moment in his artistic journey came in 1987 when he met Maestro Renato Guelfi in Rome a celebrated opera singer and painter — whose mentorship inspired Ciotola to perform as a singer in theatres across Italy, including Lecce, Santa Maria di Leuca, Ronciglione, and Villa Pignatelli in Naples.
Throughout his career, he received numerous awards, including the Gold Medal of the “La Triade” Prize at Palazzo Sormani in Milan and an Honorary Diploma in Sant’Anastasia, Naples.
In 2002, his first solo exhibition in Tuscia was held at Sala Anselmi in Viterbo. His early works, often characterized by dreamlike landscapes and metaphysical symbolism, displayed vibrant use of color and dramatic chiaroscuro, revealing profound emotional energy and creative freedom.
In the late 1990s, Ciotola’s focus shifted toward themes of social justice. His work began addressing contemporary issues, especially civil rights and the fight against homophobia. In 2003, he founded the Stop Homoph Art movement to promote a culture of respect and inclusion. From this vision emerged his emblematic work “The Madonna of the Homosexuals”, a powerful tribute to LGBTQ+ identity and the victims of Nazism. A reproduction of this work was first exhibited at the foyer of Teatro Mercadante in Naples on October 18, 2014.
Ciotola mature work combines powerful messages with bold aesthetics, resonating with audiences and critics alike. His commitment to art as a tool for dialogue and transformation has drawn the attention of international figures, including Jean-Louis Cougnon, Chief Executive at the General Management of the European Parliament.
Today, Raffaele Ciotola is recognized as a rare and iconic voice in contemporary art an artist whose work fuses symbolism, activism, and timeless emotional depth.