BIOGRAPHY
Michele Simonetti [b. 1976, Italy] lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. After receiving his Masters in Architecture at 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.
CV
EXHIBITIONS & PUBLICATIONS
“the advent of modernity” | catalogue curated by f. gallo mazzeo | 2023
the back room | the shirley project space, brooklyn ny [us] | collection
“dreamars IV” | hub/art, milan [italy] | 09.20.2023 thru 10.04.2023
“crafting a shared visual language “ | aatonau.com | 07.16.2023
“the mind’s eye” | agora gallery, new york ny [us] | 07.01.2023 thru 07.21.2023
“break a leg” | bellini museum, florence [italy] | 06.16.2023 thru 06.31.2023
artinres.com | since 06.2023
artmine.com | since 02.2023
EDUCATION
1996-2003 | master degree in architecture, university of studies of florence, faculty of architecture, florence, italy. graduated 04.10.2003, 110/110 cum laude.
licensed architect in italy | since 04.2004
1990-1995 | “il pontormo” high school, empoli, [florence] italy. 5 years scientific studies, graduated 07.15.95, 52/60.
STATEMENT
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.
