SENSITIVE SURFACES

Cris Contini Contemporary Gallery is pleased to present the exhibition “Sensitive Surfaces” in occasion of the Mayfair Art Weekend Event.

The exhibition will display a collection of Michelangelo Galliani 3D sculptures and flat surfaces which incorporates heads, torsos, limbs, fragments of stories that turn into more structured unities. Michelangelo Galliani is a master of triggering feelings: skilfully combining heterogeneous materials such as marble, steel, wax, slate, ceramic, lead and gold the artist composes splendid metamorphic figures.

Galliani grasps inspiration from the classics and manipulate it with a singular narrative power; his work is a continuous inquiry of the traditional western classic form. On combining materials that differ in texture, colours and weight, the artist creates a dialogue of opposing experiences exploring dichotomies matters such the sacred and profane, man and women, pain and pleasure. The artist effortlessly catches the real soul of the subjects integrating them with an expressive syntax.

Galliani’s sculptures employ the ‘non finito’ (unfinished) technique, his purposefully aesthetic choice accepts to be un-complete, interrupted by the doubt, intently broken and threatened by deterioration. The pieces make them resemble recently discovered antique sculptures however their dramatic expressions ensure that they appear complete to the viewer.

The exhibition shows a painful fable that is delivered dramatically through the form of this plastic disequilibrium: nails that drill the immovable skin of the marble transfer on it the human emotional self-injuries; half faces completed only by their own reflection; the transfiguration of the fractured depicted subjects: man and woman = broken segments; the mask of personalities; the broken heart and its infinite search for their other half.

Michelangelo Galliani has been repeatedly participated in solo and group exhibitions, both in Italy and in international locations, including Spain, Istanbul and China. His artworks were featured at the 2015 Expo Arte Italiana curated by Vittorio Sgarbi, in 2014 he was selected as one of the finalists at the “Open to Art” International Art Competition in Milan, in 2008 he wins the 1st prize at the Premio Fabbri, Bologna, in 2005 he exhibited at the Biennale Giovani of Monza and in 2004 at the Rome Quadriennale.


ABOUT THE ARTIST

MICHELANGELO GALLIANI

Born Montecchio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy in 1975

Michelangelo Galliani began working as a sculptor at a very young age and made his debut in 1996 by participating in a series of group exhibitions in Italy. Since then Galliani imposed himself on the international art scene with his splendid metamorphic figures sculpted predominantly out of white carrara marble. The artist attended the Art Institute Paolo Toschi in Parma and later the Institute Palazzo Spinelli in Florence, culminating with a degree from Carrara’s Academy of Fine Arts specialising in sculpture.


Galliani constantly challenges the stone and its hardness by carving it manually and methodically with surgical instruments. Without preparing preliminary sketches he sculpts body fragments generally out of white marble and then juxtaposed them with other materials such as slate, gold, lead or brass, experimenting with the expressive possibilities that arise from their combination in order to achieve a contemporary and distinctive identity, while also offering original compositions that skilfully handle the relation between 3D sculptures and flat surfaces. This technique marks an important milestone in the growth of his conceptual work and the creation of an original and exquisite style.

Galliani’s aesthetic research focus on expressions, contorted bodies, soft carved features and elegance combining elements of classical and academic tradition with modern taste and sensitivity. Although the majority of his sculptures employ the ‘non finito’ technique (unfinished) to purposefully make them resemble recently discovered antique sculptures, their dramatic expressions ensure that the artwork appears complete to the viewer.

The artist has been repeatedly participated in solo and group exhibitions, both in Italy and in international locations, including Spain, Istanbul and China. His artworks were featured at the 2015 Expo Arte Italiana curated by Vittorio Sgarbi, in 2014 he was selected as one of the finalists at the “Open to Art” International Art Competition in Milan, in 2008 he wins the 1st prize at the Premio Fabbri, Bologna, in 2005 he exhibited at the Biennale Giovani of Monza and in 2004 at the Rome Quadriennale.

In addition to his work as a sculptor Galliani works as a professor of "Techniques of marble and precious stones" at the Academy of Fine Arts in Urbino.



ABOUT CRIS CONTINI CONTEMPORARY

Cris Contini Contemporary ahold a unique structure as an international art gallery offering an eclectic mix of styles and artworks that exemplify its foremost dedication to the accessibility of art and the global communication it inspires.
With its new gallery in London, a forthcoming one in Milan and collaborations with international galleries, Cis Contini Contemporary strives to offer a world-wide collector access of multicultural artists from Modern artists such Pablo Picasso, Lucio Fontana, Andy Warhol and Robert Indiana to the most sought-after Contemporary artists such Endless, Renato Meneghetti, Michelangelo Galliani, Gioni Parra, Lorenzo Puglisi and many more.
Cristian Contini and Fulvio Granocchia are avid art collectors and they run an extensive private and public exhibition program promoting emerging and established artists across Europe and America.


ABOUT MAYFAIR ART WEEKEND

Mayfair and St James’s is home to over 145 exceptional galleries and auction houses, making it the artistic heart of London.

Mayfair Art Weekend, awarded “Best Local Event of the Year” in 2017 by the Mayfair Awards, boasts a programme spanning Old Masters to Contemporary Art. The Weekend constitutes an enriching and lively programme of free events, exhibitions and art experiences hosted by a selection of art galleries, to celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of Mayfair and St. James’s.

The sixth edition of Mayfair Art Weekend will take place this summer from Friday 28 - Sunday 30 June 2019. Mayfair Art Weekend presents an opportunity to celebrate and explore the rich cultural heritage of Mayfair as one of the world’s most historic and thriving art quarters for creativity and craftsmanship.

This summer, Mayfair Art Weekend will be joined by internationally acclaimed galleries and institutions, and a host of artists and artisans to showcase the vibrant range of contemporary art, sculpture and antiquities on view in Mayfair. The event programme will include a weekend of free and unique events, exhibitions and talks open to everyone.


For further inquiries please contact the gallery at info@criscontinicontemporary or at +44 2039 729001. All images are subject to copyright.

Press Enquiries
T. +44 (0) 2039 729001
Contact: Fulvio Granocchia
E. info@criscontinicontemporary
W. https://www.criscontinicontemporary.com

Artist: Michelangelo Galliani

Exhibition: Sensitive Surfaces

Location: Cris Contini Contemporary London 15-16 Brook’s Mews W1K 4DS

Exhibition Opening: 28th June 2019 from 6pm to 8pm at Cris Contini Contemporary Gallery

Workshop: 29th June 2019 from 3pm to 5pm at Cris Contini Contemporary Gallery

Exhibition period: from 28th June 2019 until 05th September 2019