Nunzio Bibbo. Italy - Bulgaria

The National Gallery For Foreign Art And The Italian Institute Of Culture In Sofia Would Like To Present The Exhibition Nunzio Bibbo Italy - Bulgaria, The Genesis Of A Dialogue 8 June to 8 August 2011

One of the most prestigious international forums for contemporary art – the 54th Venice Biennale, is opening in Italy. For the first time, the countries participating in the Biennale will take on role of host, showing parallel exhibitions of Italian artists. The choice of the National Gallery for Foreign Art and the Italian Institute of Culture in Sofia is the famous sculptor Nunzio Bibbo, who has a decades-long relation with Bulgarian culture, remarkable works in the permanent exhibition of the Gallery and has been acclaimed as a classic in modern Italian plastics tradition.

Nunzio Bibo was born in 1946 in Kastelvetere, Italy. In the early 1960’s, he studied at the Art Academy in Naples. He participated in several exhibitions in southern Italy in 1972, taught at the Brera Academy, and eventually moved permanently to live and work in Rome. His creative route passes through a number of prestigious exhibitions and events in Italy, USA, Germany, France, etc. The most renowned work of the author is the gate of the cathedral in Reggio Calabria with its monumental scenes from the life of Saint Paul.

In the 1980’s Nunzio Bibbo turned his attention to drawing and print graphics. His participation in the exhibition “Great Italian Masters of Graphics” in Rome and in other international events led him to be perceived as an artist with a Southern comportment, sensitivity to color and expressiveness of form.

Nunzio Bibbo’s artistic connection to Bulgaria dates back to 1980, when he presented his sculpture exhibition in Sofia and in 1987 participated in the International Print Biennale in Varna.

The exhibition, which is to open in NGFA, will be one of the most significant events in the capital. Along with the museum works of the author from the 80’s, visitors will have the opportunity to see later and more mature works from the beginning of 21st century, which convey the artist’s sensitivity to modern times. The way in which they will be exhibited – amongst the paintings from the permanent collection in one of the most beautiful rooms – seeks to suggest the idea of development and continuity. We are sure that this meeting between “conservative” Nunzio Bibbo and the modern, lively, active artist, a man of the 21st century, will be an interesting one for the Bulgarian audience.

Nunzio Bibbo
Italy - Bulgaria, The Genesis Of A Dialogue