Cavaliere VIRGINIO L. FERRARI is an internationally
acclaimed contemporary sculptor, having exhibited his work in
Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and
throughout the United States. Ferrari's monumental sculptures
can be found on street corners and public parks, at universities
and libraries, corporations and in private collections in Chicago,
and all over the world.
Since the early sixties his sculptures have participated with
the environment allowing the interaction of sculpture and casual
observer, giving the modern city a human dimension. With over
thirty monumental public sculptures in Chicago alone and other
works acquired by museum and corporate collections in Atlanta,
Florence, Guayaquil, Los Angeles, Milan, Philadelphia and Rome,
Ferrari has been a consistent presence in the international art
world resulting in over 50 solo exhibitions, while participating
in more than 150 group shows.
He
was born in Verona, Italy where he graduated from the Scuola
D’ Arte N. Nanni and from the Accademia Cignaroli, where
he received his first teaching assignment. His father and grandfather
were stonecutters who established a sense of craftsmanship in
the household, and Ferrari continued this tradition, having his
first solo exhibit in Venice at the age of 24.
From 1966 to 1976 Ferrari was assistant Professor and artist
in residence at the University of Chicago and since then has
remained in Chicago where he has devoted his full energies to
sculpting. His styles and periods have progressed and changed,
marrying his mastery of traditional materials and methods with
experimentation’s in new forms, materials and styles embracing
a philosophy of “New Ideas, New Ways, New Means and New
Spaces”.
Stylistic Development
Ferrari’s
stylistic development has included transitions in expressionistic
and surrealistic forms
and has evolved towards geometric reduction with a
minimum of means; sculptures distinguished by massive force and
dynamic tension.
Running throughout his art even in his most formalistic
works is a persistent search for life essences, to the condition
of man,
to the embracing of male and female forces.
Ferrari’s current work has been described
as lyrical abstract sculpture in bronze, stainless
steel, marble and granite. Integrating sculpture
into the architectural environment, often playfully
in contrast to it, at other times fully participating
in it, consequently his work is preoccupied with
creating situations that delight the eye in the parks,
streets, squares and corners of the city.
Awards for his achievements
He holds many awards
for his achievements, including the Illinois State Service Award
for outstanding contributions
as a sculptor who has vitalized and humanized urban
spaces. Honored by the president of Italy, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro,
Ferrari received
the Cavaliere Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana medal
for his important contributions to the international art world.
He also
recently received the medal of the city of Verona based
on his 2003 anthological retrospective exhibit “Ombre della Sera:
1958-2003” at the Palazzo Forti Modern Art Museum in Verona,
Italy, and the Leonardo da Vinci award by the Order
Sons of Italy national organization.
