(1920 – 2005)
Papa Palmerino (Sorgente Palmerino) was born in Umbria, Italy, and immigrated to Canada in 1954 with his wife and children. He worked as a janitor, cook, and factory worker in Montreal. After retiring in 1970, he established a workshop and store on the ground floor of his home to sell religious artifacts.

As the self-proclaimed “Pope Palmerino, servant of Jesus,” he created staged photographs, rosaries, and papal headgear. Palmerino sought to encourage piety in those around him and to share a message of peace and love though his various creations. In 2000, a fire destroyed thirty years of work.

Collections: Collection de l’Art Brut, Lausanne.