SYLACAUGA — A sculptor sees the shape in his mind well before it takes form in the stone.

But that shape can change in time, as he chisels, chips and sands the block of marble. The sculptor treats the unformed block as a living thing, listening to it speak to him. And he reacts to what it tells him.

Master sculptor Giovanni Balderi, of Pietrasanta, Italy, spoke about the craft that has been a part of his life since he was 14 years old. Balderi has made his second trip to Sylacauga, this time as the featured guest of the city’s second annual Magic of Marble Festival.

“I am here to understand the culture,” he said. “In Italy, I have tried many American styles. The songs, the music, it’s normal to hear. But I think when you go to another country, you truly understand.”

Balderi, who only speaks some English, described his philosophy on creating art. He said sculpting was similar to music and dancing, that it crosses cultural and geographical borders.

“When you sculpt, you make your body in contact with your soul,” he said. “When you first learn to sculpt, you don’t understand many questions. But when you learn the technique, when you are free to speak, you are entrusting your soul for understanding where you have been.”

Much of Balderi’s artwork has revolved around the human form. He said even in his more abstract pieces that he uses the body’s “lines” as a guide.

One work he showed a picture of depicted the waves of the ocean with an indention of a stomach in the center. He said both represented life, as the stomach represented where life begins.

His first project after arriving in Sylacauga was a “mask.” Balderi said the face cut from the stone was meant to remind of the freedoms that people have or do not have.

“The mask represents what is possible for you with free speech,” he said. “I think it is very important for people. This mask is a cross for when it is possible to speak and when it is not possible to speak.

“You are free. You are living in a country where you are very free. But many times it is impossible to speak. In your soul and the soul of the people, it is important to remind of free expression.”

Balderi has sculpted marble pulled from both the Marble City and from high in the mountains of Europe. His finished pieces are displayed throughout the world.

The sculptor has been perfecting his craft for more than 20 years. He said his passion for pursuing a career in art was not one shared by his family.

“My grandfather told me, ‘Please, do some serious work. No art,’” Balderi said. “But my mind was very direct. It was very open to other work. With the sculpture, for me, it’s possible to contact incredible persons. It’s very special to work with.”

Balderi has received help from a translator to speak to area residents about sculpting. But he said communication to people of different languages can often be found through the “universal message” of art.

“I think the sculpture is a very universal language,” Balderi said “Many times, it is not important, the language. To get the message, you look with your mind, your eyes and your soul. It is important for the work, for peace, for cultural change.”

“Look at my English, it’s very bad. But my work is speaking for me. You see my work and you understand my soul and my culture.”

The Magic of Marble Festival will have several activities continuing through March 27. Balderi will be working with and teaching other sculptors in Central Park by Blue Bell Station during the event.