simonetti
bio
michele simonetti [b. 1976, italy] lives and works in brooklyn, new york. after receiving his masters in architecture from the university of florence [2002], he developed a passion for architectural brutalism and minimalism. he moved to new york in 2014, where he expanded his interest to the intersection of architecture and contemporary art. through a play between abstraction and representation, his painting practice explores the relationship between real and imagined worlds, personal and collective memories. recent exhibitions include group shows in new york and miami [us], milan and florence [it], and the solo show “the advent of modernity” at agora gallery, new york [us].
italian artist based in brooklyn, new york. inspiration for his work stems from direct observation of his surroundings. using sharp lines and high-contrast color fields, simonetti synthesizes the urban landscape into compositions of minimal purity and spatial tension. through abstraction and simplicity, he is able to find a shared visual language that can relate to everyone personally, culturally and emotionally. the forms are purposefully stripped of any identifying feature, becoming universal references that trigger unexpected memories and build an intimate connection with the viewer.
chromatic distortion is another technique used by the artist to divert the audience’s attention from the original subjects. across the canvases float thick and textured color fields in navy blue, cerulean, maroon, or gold. ample negative spaces invite the viewer to use their imagination and build unique and personal narratives: it is an invitation to action. simonetti says: “my work is an investigation on personal and collective memories, real and imagined worlds. I am looking for a common ground, a place of shared visual experiences.”
I paint minimalist abstract compositions that explore the relationship between real and imagined worlds, personal and collective memories. living in new york city, my inspiration comes from my immediate surroundings: the corner of a townhouse, the curved edge of a rooftop, the silhouette of a skyscraper. the original urban references, however, are stripped of any specific feature to achieve purity of lines, colors, and geometries. in doing so, I seek to create generic and familiar landscapes that evoke memories that are intimate and personal. the use of ample negative space and stark chromatic contrasts are further invitations for the viewer to fill the voids with their own imagination and identify in each piece. by exploring a shared visual language, I discover the fascinating complexity of human perception.
exibitions
10.2024
09.2024
09.2024
07.2024
06.2024
red | loy luo space | new york [us]
trasposizioni | breckenridge gallery | montaione [it]
gold | loy luo space | new york [us]
alfabeto astratto | aaie center for contemporary art | roma [it]
alfabeto astratto | l. bellini museum | firenze [it]
04.2024
03.2024
01.2024
thru 02.204
12.2023
12.2023
12.2023
11.2023
10.2023
10.2023
09.2023
09.2023
07.2023
07.2023
06.2023
magnifica | aaie center for contemporary art | roma [it]
child mind institute permanent collection | new york [us]
arte e collezionismo | le murate | firenze [it]
tristate italian art prize | consulate general of italy | new york [us]
art sysposium | le murate | firenze [it]
act VII | galeria azur | miami [us]
red dot | miami art week | miami [us]
wonder art | ma-ec palazzo durini | milan [it]
salon show | greenpoint gallery | brooklyn [us]
act VI | galeria azur | miami [us]
the advent of modernity | agora gallery | new york [us]
dreamars IV | hub/art | milan [it]
the backroom collection | the shirley project space | brooklyn [us]
the mind's eye | agora gallery | new york [us]
break a leg | museo bellini | firenze [it]
features
04.2024
magnifica | printed catalogue
curated by f. mazzeo gallo | roma [it]
03.2024
artistic tribe nyc, vol 1 | printed catalogue
curated by nom de plume | new york [us]
12.2023
cai | catalogo artisti italiani 2023 | printed catalogue
curated by g. coronas, v. venneri
12.2023
italiareportusa | miami art week, l' artista italiano simonetti si racconta [interview] | miami [us]
11.2023
wonder art | printed catalogue
curated by v. agosti | milan [it]
10.2023
artist close up | printed magazine | october issue | berlin [de]
09.2023
the advent of modernity | printed catalogue
curated by f. mazzeo gallo | roma [it]
09.2023
dreamars IV | printed catalogue
curated by e. amos | milan [it]
09.2023
artist tribe | printed magazine | vol. I/05 | new york [us]
08.2023
08.2023
07.2023
building tomorrow and today in the city and in art
art-mine newsletter | new york [us]
beyond blueprints | art-mine blog | new york [us]
crafting a shared visual language | aatonau.com | tokyo [jp]
06.2023
break a leg | catalogue | firenze [it]
06.2024
alfabeto astratto | printed catalogue
curated by a. milot | roma [it]
press
10times.com 1stdibs.com aatonau.com agora-gallery.net allevants.in artbase.com arte artforum.com artmo.com artnet.com artpickle.com artrabbit.com artspacemilano.com artsy.com artweek.com cityguidemagazine.com citytour.com donyc.com eleventary.com europapress.es eventbrite.com events.com eventsget.com eventsnearhere.com exhibart.com forbes.es happeningnext.com hub-art.org ilgiornaleoff.it ilnewyorkese.com informazione.it italiareportusa.com larepubblica.com lavocedinewyork.com milanotoday.it mutualart.com newyorksocialdiary.com notimerica.com saatchiart.com socialweb.com theartguide.com weeklyaffair.us widewalls.ch yelp.com