Nicola Pucci defies your imagination. Or at least knows how to play with it.
Born in Palermo in 1966, this artist merges eccentric images that seem to explode on the canvas. His works might surprise or even shock you, but they are always entertaining.
His latest show is full of color and movement. He is among the artists of the “Scuola Italiana”, the Italian artists on show at the Palazzo Merulana, which is one of the newest public galleries in Rome.
Gianluca Marziani, curator of the show, says contemporary Italian painting draws its strength from the traditions that have forged significant avant garde movements in the past. Palazzo Merulana is looking to highlight working artists like Pucci who are revitalizing Italian art.
Pucci uses whimsy and humor to bring his works to life. He might place an equestrian on horseback in the middle of a train, or send a massive bull rampaging through someone’s living room or show us a lion licking the head of a baby.
“When you see Pucci’s work for the first time, it makes you smile,” says Australian visitor Sally Marsh. “Pucci has a great imagination which he brings to life in his quirky paintings.
“He combines disparate elements and makes them amusing and interesting.”
The Sicilian has won the attention of leading figures in the art world including American art dealier, Larry Gagosian, and Carlo Bilotti, the late Florida-based international cosmetics buyer and art collector.
Pucci has exhibited in Italy, the USA, England, France, South Korea, and previously held a solo exhibition at Rome’s Carlo Bilotti Museum, becoming the first living Italian artist to be given a one-man show at this prestigious venue.
He has also held high-profile solo exhibitions at Spoleto’s contemporary art museum Palazzo Collicola, the Fondazione Sicilia in Palermo, and Fondazione Mudima in Milan.
Michele Von Buren, owner of the Von Buren Contemporary gallery in central Rome, has been a long time fan and has a few of his pieces for sale. She even convinced me to buy a small piece depicting circus ponies for myself.
But I have to admit that I found the image of the lion and the baby quite disturbing.
Pucci works largely from photographs and also draws on various influences including the art of Francis Bacon. But Pucci has a unique style and stands apart from defined contemporary trends or movements.
His work is to be found in the permanent collection of the Carlo Bilotti Museum in Rome, the MAC – Museum of Contemporary Art of Gibellina, Palazzo Collicola Visual art in Spoleto; as well as the Fendi Collection, the Benetton collection and the Gagosian collection.
