Elio Marchegiani biography

Elio Marchegiani, born in 1929 in Syracuse, is a renowned Italian painter and sculptor. From a young age, he dedicated himself to painting as a self-taught artist. In 1956, with the support of the gallery owner Bruno Giraldi, he intensified his artistic activity. His first solo exhibition was held at the Galleria Giraldi in Livorno in 1958, presenting works influenced by the informal art of the time.
In the following years, Elio Marchegiani continues to exhibit in the same gallery, also organizing exhibitions and cultural events. During this period, he undertakes numerous trips between Paris, Milan, and Rome, becoming part of the Gruppo 70 in Florence and forming friendships with artists such as Lucio Fontana and Giuseppe Chiari.
The work of Giacomo Balla, Marcel Duchamp, and Lucio Fontana had a significant influence on his work, which ranges from research on movement and light to the creation of three-dimensional and environmental works. In the 1970s, Elio Marchegiani developed the series of Gomme, works destined to deteriorate over time, and Grammature di colore, which have become a fundamental part of his artistic research. The Grammature di colore have been particularly appreciated, finding a place in the Collection of Italian Contemporary Art at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome and in various Italian and foreign museums.
During his career, he participated in numerous national and international exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale, where in 1968 he presented the reconstruction of unfinished works by Giacomo Balla. He received significant commissions, such as the Franco-American ones obtained at the FIAC in Paris in 1985-1986, which led to permanent installations in Paris, at the Château de Blois on the Loire, in New York, and San Francisco.
His work has been exhibited in several anthological exhibitions, such as the one in 1998 dedicated to him by the Municipality of Livorno at the Museo Fattori, which showcased the most significant works of his career. Over the years, he has continued to exhibit in important art institutions, such as the Museo del Novecento in Milan, the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome, and many others.
Elio Marchegiani also had a strong passion for the restoration of artworks. He executed and oversaw the restoration of works by artists such as Lucio Fontana, Piero Manzoni, Agostino Bonalumi, and many others. In 2010, he contributed to the establishment of the School of Restoration and Protection of Contemporary Art and Culture Objects in the Municipality of Morro D'Alba in the Marche region.
His artistic career is filled with recognitions and awards. Over the years, he has continued to explore new expressive forms, demonstrating a constant attention to the social and cultural context in which art is placed. Elio Marchegiani is considered one of the most important and influential artists of his generation in Italy. His artistic research continues to evolve, ranging from painting, sculpture, and installations, always with the aim of provoking reflections and stimulating critical thinking through his artistic work.