Ilaria Arpino @ artavita

Ilaria Arpino

Ilaria Arpino is an Italian sculptor, painter and conceptual artist who was born and raised in the foothills of the Italian Alps. She studied fine art, illustration and advertising in Torino, Italy.
In her 20s, Ilaria moved to Philadelphia, USA establishing a career as an Art Director.
Her artwork and poster design were selected to promote former First Lady Mrs. Barbara Bush’s “Story Time” in collaboration with Time Warner Inc. A number of her paintings have been used in national advertising campaigns in Italy and the USA including her ink illustrations and design of the book “Standing in the shadow of Motown” depicting the life and music of Motown legend James Jamerson.
Ilaria’s passion for art fueled her love to travel and live abroad. Her breadth of international experiences enhanced her creativity and gained her a clearer sense of self.
Stripped of her ordinary surroundings and people, Ilaria created new work that was featured in exhibitions across the USA, Italy, France, Thailand, Macao and China.
During Ilaria’s years in Asia she had the unique opportunity to collaborate with renowned Chinese calligrapher Carlos Choi Chun Heng in the art exhibit “East meets West.”
After living almost 12 years in South East Asia, Ilaria moved back to the USA; this time to Miami. In 2018 and 2019 Ilaria exhibited her work at Art Miami/ Art Basel.
Her new artistic approach was influenced by living in foreign countries and using traditional medias; this is vividly apparent in her most recent works.
A series of figurative bronze sculptures emerges from a 10 yard-long-roll of white paper. The paper is stroked boldly with black ink in abstract calligraphy symbols that represent an emblematic PATH OF LIFE. This installation was exhibited in Madrid during the summer of 2018 at Faim Art Fair.
In line with her international art path, in 2018 Ilaria won the prestigious Maradiva Art Residency in the Mauritius Island organized by Arte Laguna Venice, Italy and the Basu Foundation for the Arts based in Kolkata, India.
In September 2020 Ilaria’s work will be featured in the Oculus at the Westfield World Trade Center in New York City at the AD ART SHOW; a groundbreaking art exhibition.

exhibitions
2020 AD Art Show, Oculus at The Westfield Trade Center, NYC, NY (September)
2020 Covid-19 the Art of Isolation, Online Exhibition
2020 MANA CONTEMPORARY Digital open house | Virtual Booth 6/25-6/28
2020 FAIM ART FAIR, Madrid Spain (postponed)
2020 Art Wynwood, Miami, FL USA
2020 GALLERY 88 Miami Beach, FL USA (group) current
2019 Art Miami, Art Basel Week, Miami FL USA
2019 Vizcayne pop-up Art Gallery, Miami FL USA (solo)
2019 ADC Fine Art Gallery, Cincinnati OH USA (group)
2019 MAC Art Gallery, Jupiter FL USA (group)
2018 MAC Art Gallery, Fort Lauderdale FL USA (group)
2018 Soul Abstractions revealed GALLERY 88, Miami Beach FL USA (group)
2018 Maradiva Art Gallery, Mauritius (current)
2018 SPECTRUM MIAMI, Art Basel Week Miami FL USA
2018 Urban Angels MARADIVA Art Gallery Mauritius Island (solo)
2018 Wynwood Juried Show Miami FL USA (group)
2018 Path of Life, Alma Sensai FAIM ART FAIR, Madrid Spain
2018 Wynwood Life and Art Festival Miami FL USA (group)
2015 Nihao International Art Festival JFC Art Gallery, Xiamen China (group)
2009 Taipa Art Gallery, Taipa Macao (solo)
2008 East meets West Portuguese Cultural Center, Macao (solo)
2007 Bangkok Cultural Center Bangkok, Thailand (solo)
2005 Life out of context, Thomas Jefferson University Art Gallery, Philadelphia PA USA (solo)
2004 Les fammes, Raffaello Art gallery Nice, France (solo)
2003 Artisti per uno spazio, Sala Auditorium Borelli, Boves CN Italy (group)
2003 Life out of Context, The Philadelphia Ethical Society Art Gallery, Philadelphia PA USA
2003 Life out of Context, The Art Alliance Gallery at the Rittenhouse Hotel, Philadelphia PA USA (solo)
2001 Chorus of a woman, The Kelly Writer House Art Gallery, University of Penn, Philadelphia USA (solo)
2000 The Mochulu Vessel Pop-up Art Gallery, Philadelphia PA USA (group)
1999 Sheraton Hotel Pop-up Art Gallery, Philadelphia PA USA (group)

awards
2020 Sculpture Winner for THE BLUES Artrepreneur, NYC USA
2019 Sculpture Finalist of Artrooms, London, GB
2019 Sculpture Finalist of ACA (Art comes Alive) Cincinnati, OH USA
2018 Maradiva Art Residency Prize, Mauritius, organized by Arte Laguna, Venice Italy and Basu Foundation for the Arts
2018 Wynwood Juried Art Show Sculpture, Miami USA
2001 Philadelphia Art Director’s Club Design Philadelphia, USA

foundations
Artist supported by The Basu Foundation for The Arts, Kolkata India
Ambassador for The Basu Foundation for The Arts in Miami USA

Portfolio:

The Four Seasons

These four bronze sculptures belong to the series entitled “The Four Seasons”.
I depicted the Four Seasons like Goddess that symbolically have the force to change our mood, our physical environment, and are the evolution of our human consciousness.
In her endless wisdom, Nature shows us that all things change, and the Four Seasons are an example of this undeniable rule of life.

“Persephone (Spring)”

“Persephone” | Bronze | silver patina | 30”H x 10”W x 8”D | 2019
This bronze sculpture belongs to a series of four pieces entitled “The Seasons”. This piece represents Persephone, the Greek goddess of spring. A swarm of butterflies flutter around her face and neck kissing her softly, representing the arrival of spring.

“Karpo (Autumn)”

Karpo (Autumn) | Bronze, black, green patina | 30”H x 14”W x 9”D | 2019
This bronze sculpture belongs to a series of four pieces entitled “The Seasons”. The female sculpture represents Karpo, the Greek goddess of fall. Her elongated neck leads elegantly to her lips and cheeks in anticipation of an awakening. Skinny branches caress her neck and face precluding the melancholy of winter.

“Aestas (Summer)”

Aestas (Summer) 2019 | Bronze, green, black patina | black granite pedestal | 28”H x 9”D x 10”W | 71cmH x 22cmD x 25cmW

This sculpture interprets Aestas the Goddess of Summer's bounty and her annual return to the earth. It depicts the face of a woman her eyes are closed and her chin is longing for a loving caress. Her elongated neck leads to her lips and cheeks in anticipation of an awakening. Like a wild bouquet, flowers bloom all over her head and neck depicting joy and a renewal.
Symbolically this sculpture represents the miracle of transformation. In her endless wisdom, Nature shows us that all things change, and seasons are an example of this undeniable rule of life.

“Khione (Winter)”

Khione (Winter) 2020
Polished bronze, black patina, black granite pedestal
28”H x 9”D x 10”W | 71cmH x 22cmD x 25cmW

This sculpture interprets Khione the Greek goddess of ice and winter. It depicts the face of a woman her eyes are closed in the quiet of stillness. Her elongated neck elegantly leads up to her lips and cheeks awaiting for an imaginary glacial upheaval, glittering crystals of melting ice flow down to her cheeks.
The frigid darkness of winter is fading away.
Symbolically this sculpture represents the miracle of transformation. In her endless wisdom, Nature shows us that all things change, and seasons are an example of this undeniable rule of life.

“The Four Seasons”

EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE

The inspiration behind these sculptures is drawn from ordinary encounters, experiences and intense observations of everyday life and people. My creations are never entirely planned, as the ideas behind them at times change sporadically in their own way and timing, evolving organically into their final form in response to my creative desire. Ordinary people are unique, unlike anything or anyone else, therefore they are exceptional.

“The Thought ”

The Thought 2018
Bronze, green, silver, black patina | 46”H x 5”W x 9”D | 118cm x 13cm x 23cm

This bronze sculpture represents a woman in an inner state of reflection. Her figure shows grace, beauty and at the same time tension and struggle. The emphasis of the detailed work on her dress intends to lead the viewer’s attention to her head gently bent forward in an act of contemplation and meditation.