Simona Weller biography

Simona Weller, born on May 10, 1940 in Rome, is an Italian artist. Her life is a mosaic of cultural experiences, travels, and encounters that have shaped her unique artistic expression. After losing her father in 1948, Simona Weller began her educational journey at the Convitto Nazionale di Spoleto, where her artistic talent was encouraged by the drawing master Leoncillo Leonardi. This early influence is reflected in her decision to enroll at the Academy of Fine Arts of Rome, where she studied under the guidance of Ferruccio Ferrazzi, Mario Mafai and Mino Maccari. Here, she honed her skills in the artwork of painting and engraving, preparing for her future artistic explorations.
Her first significant trip to Asia, funded by a UNESCO scholarship, marked a period of profound personal and artistic discovery. In Thailand in 1960/61, Egypt in 1962/63, and Spain in 1964, Simona Weller absorbed the local culture and artwork, an experience that had a lasting impact on her artwork.
In 1961 she married Roberto Veller Fornasa, with whom she had two children, David and Micol. The family chose to live in the tranquility of the Umbrian countryside, an environment that greatly influenced her work. During this period, her painting evolved, freeing itself from academic influences and travel reminiscences, to express an autonomous inner world. She is distinguished by the use of enamels and inks on precious papers, and by the representation of natural elements with a refined and poetic technique.
The return to Rome in the '70s marks a period of personal and artistic transition. Having separated from her husband, she begins teaching artwork at the Academy of Fine Arts and lives with the poet and critic Cesare Vivaldi. During this period, her artwork experiments with words and symbols, creating panels on black backgrounds with colorful graffiti that explore her unconscious and dreams.
Her artwork receives significant recognition: she participates in the X Quadriennale of Rome in 1973 and the Venice Biennale in 1978. During this period, her artistic research focuses on painting-writing, a recurring theme in her works, as demonstrated in her collages and the cycle "Letters from an Italian painter to Vincent Van Gogh".
Simona Weller is not only an artist but also a prominent writer and artwork critic. She publishes influential essays and novels, including "The Michelangelo Complex", and actively participates in feminist movements and international exhibitions. Her contribution to culture was recognized with the award of the Commander honor by the President of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in 2006.
In 2009, her artwork was further recognized when she created the official medal for the fifth year of Pope Benedict XVI's pontificate. This work incorporates distinctive elements of her artistic research, combining religious and cultural symbols.
Simona Weller's life is also marked by painful personal events, including the death of her first husband Roberto in 1993 and that of Cesare Vivaldi in 1998. However, she continues to dedicate herself to artwork and writing, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of artwork.
Simona Weller remains an emblematic figure in Italian artwork, recognized for her ability to blend visual and textual elements into a deeply personal and innovative artistic expression. Her life and work reflect a journey of continuous exploration and renewal, making her a prominent artist in her field.