Art Gallery return to artist directoryCAVALIER VIRGINIO L. FERRARI - Sculptor Cavalier 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. |
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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. For more information please visit the website www.virginioferrarisculptor.com. |
