Paolo Scirpa biography

Paolo Scirpa, born in Syracuse in 1934, is an Italian artist whose career has been marked by constant inner research and a fervent passion for art. As a young man, he undertook artistic studies in Palermo and Catania, cultivating his passion and honing his skills. He frequented the graphic workshops of Salzburg for a long time, where he had the opportunity to work in Johnny Friedlander's renowned studio, an experience that would significantly influence his artistic career.
The turning point in Paolo Scirpa's career occurred in the 1960s when he moved to Milan, a city that would give shape to his artistic vision. Here, in 1965, he created the first works of the "Sole" series, characterized by a lyrical expressionism that moves towards a formal synthesis. However, it is in the 1970s that his work takes a significant turn, moving from a two-dimensional iconography to a focus on light and space as immaterial and spectacular protagonists. This research translates into the creation of the famous "Ludoscopi", three-dimensional works that challenge the perception of the real and the illusory through the use of mirrors and light tubes. For the artist, light becomes a means to represent not only the real aspect, but above all the idea of ​​infinity, an "ideal" light that particularly fascinates him. The artist skillfully uses the means at his disposal, such as neon and mirrors, to create suggestive hyperspaces-light, where the limit between reality and illusion blurs.
His art is appreciated not only for its symbolic meaning, but also for its playful aspect as underlined by illustrious figures on the artistic scene, such as Bruno Munari. In addition to his light-oriented artistic research, Paolo Scirpa demonstrates a profound interest in social and ecological issues. In 1972, he created the work "Megalopoli Consumistica", an important denunciation against consumerism, which consists of an assemblage of empty packages and disused containers. These works testify to his sensitivity towards the issues of his time and reflect a social commitment in the midst of his artistic production.
Paolo Scirpa's fame extends far beyond the Italian borders. His works are exhibited in numerous international exhibitions and galleries, gaining the attention of art and science scholars. He has participated in important cultural events, such as the Salon Grands et Jeunes d'aujourd'hui in Paris and the Quadrennial in Rome. His Gigantic Ludoscopes were also projected onto buildings and monuments, creating fascinating perspective escapes in the urban landscape.
Among his most famous works are the mosaic "Mary Mother of the Church" in the Chapel of the International Mariapolis Center in Rocca di Papa, the monumental "Sun of San Bernardino" initially exhibited outside the Cathedral of Syracuse and the artistic cycle created for the parish church Madonna del Divin Pianto in Cernusco sul Naviglio.
The greatness of Scirpa's art is recognized by important cultural institutions, including museums and private collections in Italy and abroad. His works are present in various museum collections, such as the Museo del Novecento, the Museum Ritter, and the Musée des Beaux Arts. His influence on the contemporary art scene is significant, and his works are also used as stage designs and theater and television shows. In addition to his career as an artist, Paolo Scirpa was also a teacher at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, sharing his knowledge and passion with new generations of artists. Paolo Scirpa's life and work testify to an extraordinary artistic path still evolving, characterized by a profound investigation into infinity and light, but also by a social commitment and a constant search for new artistic expressions.