Giulio Paolini
(b.1940, Italy)
Giulio Paolini is an Italian contemporary artist known for his conceptual and minimalist works. He was born on November 5th,1940, in Genoa, Italy. Paolini is associated with the Arte Povera movement, which emerged in the late 1960s in Italy and focused on using unconventional materials and exploring new artistic forms. Paolini’s art is characterised by its intellectual depth and engagement with philosophical ideas. He frequently challenges traditional notions of art and the role of the artist, inviting viewers to contemplate the meaning and significance of the art-making process. His work often revolves around themes of identity, authorship, and the relationship between art and the audience. He is particularly known for his exploration of classical art and mythology, often incorporating references to famous artworks and figures from art history into his pieces. His work has been exhibited in numerous international shows and is part of many prestigious collections around the world. Giulio Paolini’s contributions have had a significant impact on the development of conceptual art and continue to be influential in contemporary artistic discourse. Giulio Paolini in 2022 was also awarded as one of the Laureates of the 33rd Praemium Imperiale in the category of Painting. The Praemium Imperiale Awards were established to mark the centenary of the Japan Art Association, Japan’s oldest cultural foundation. Often considered as the “Nobel Prize for the Arts” today remains unique and illustrious celebrating greatness in five of the major arts such as Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Music, and Theatre/ Film.
Numerous retrospective exhibitions on Paolini have been organized worldwide, in many institutions including: Palazzo della Pilotta, Parma (1976); Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam (1980); Nouveau Musée, Villeurbanne (1984), Staatsgalerie, Stuttgart (1986); Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna, Roma (1988); Neue Galerie am Landesmuseum Joanneum, Graz (1998); Fondazione Prada, Milan (2003); Kunstmuseum, Winterthur (2005), Whitechapel Gallery, London (2014). Currenlty, at the Center for Italian Modern Art, New York (2016), it is on view the show ‘Giorgio de Chirico – Giulio Paolini / Giulio Paolini – Giorgio de Chirico’.
Paolini has participated in numerous Arte Povera shows and has repeatedly been invited to exhibit at Documenta, Kassel (1972, 1977, 1982, 1992) and at the Biennale, Venice (1970, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1984, 1986, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2013).
Click here to view Giulio Paolini’s website.