Traditionally, artists seek to display their work in art galleries.  However,  entering the often exclusive gallery circle is extremely difficult.

Not being members of such exclusive clubs can prove to be a substantial, almost insurmountable, obstacle.  After all, if nobody even knows about their work, then the chances of artists gaining valuable exposure, achieving recognition, and making sales, become virtually non-existent.

Banksy Does It

How about then, considering alternative galleries?  Just what, you may well be asking, do you mean by alternative galleries?  Well, for one thing, such galleries surround us.  They are everywhere.  Indeed, their potential for displaying art is almost limitless, as a certain Banksy knows very well.

However, for those artists who are not keen on spending their nights painting walls alla Banksy, there are plenty of other locations which can display art.  Indeed, such locations need to display art, because art is an essential environmental component, not only complimenting, but forming key elements that can make or break the desired visual effect.

Kathleen Warner - Creating Alternative Galleries

California based art dealer Kathleen Warner, who is interestingly, of Italian origin, knows a lot about the creation of alternative galleries.  Her company provides tailor-made solutions to a vast range of well known corporate and hospitality entities.

What Kathleen does is match artists’ works to her clients’ environments.  Clients which, up to now, have included organisations such as Toyota, Bank of America, and the Hilton, Sheraton and Holiday Inn hotel groups.

It is a win-win situation.  Kathleen’s clients obtain interesting works of art which create satisfying environments, while the artists involved, aside from earnings generated via their artistic contributions, gain a level of exposure which traditional galleries, for the most part, simply cannot rival.

Actually, gallery owners themselves are often frequent travellers, buzzing from one art fair to the next, and as travellers, they often stay in up-market hotels.

Just imagine if one such gallery owner finds interesting artwork on display in the foyer and other significant locations in the hotel in which he finds himself.  Yes, she will inquire as to who the artist behind such work is.  Then, it will probably only be a matter of time before the artist concerned is invited to display his work in a gallery.

That is not to mention the multitude of other potential clients an artist can reach as a result of having his or her works on show in boardrooms, corporate headquarters or hotel foyers.

Massive Opportunities for Artists

The range of opportunities stemming from corporate demand is huge, and of great benefit to contemporary artists - especially in Italy where it is so difficult for outstanding artists, such as Gianpietro Carlesso, and many others, to achieve the recognition they merit.

As a matter of fact, from 2009, Kathleen Warner will be in Italy to work her craft here and around Europe.  Italyisin hopes to be collaborating with her, and will be supplying details of the Italian contemporary artists she thinks may be able to contribute to her clients’ projects.

In the 30 years or so that Kathleen has been in business, she has set up a valid form of alternative gallery network, something which Italian contemporary artists have much to gain from.

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Discover more about Kathleen Warner’s origins and ethos in the article Faletto Directions which she has kindly provided to Italyisin.

"Painting with light" is a term which has been used to describe photography, and certainly, the work of some photographers is art. As with other mediums, photography requires observation and interpretation to achieve images which provoke thought and discussion. Such images can become possessions as prized as the work of noted painters or sculptors, just think of Ansel Adams .

Italy has no shortage of photographers exploring this medium to create contemporary art. Indeed, there is an association dedicated to the promotion of the work of Italian photographers. This Milan based association, the simply named Fotografia Italiana - Italian Photography, was founded quite recently by art collector, Nicoletta Rusconi.

The aims of Fotografia Italiana are clear - its prime objective is to encourage Italian photographers to undertake artistic research.

For those interested in photography as a contemporary art medium, the Fotografia Italiana website is well worth visiting, and there is an extensive section in English.

Not to be missed is the ‘Artists’ section which contains a long list of photographic artists, some of whom, such as Alessandro Vicario , have their own websites where examples of their works may be explored.

In addition to profiling photographic artists , Fotografia Italiana also has a mine of information on current and forthcoming exhibitions.

You may start your voyage into the world of contemporary Italian photographic art here: Fotografia Italiana

Pistoia born Italian sculptor, to whom I spoke today, Luigi Galligani, produces art based on, in the words of the artist himself, ‘Mediterranean myths’. You may agree that his work could be said to be refreshingly original and modern interpretations of figures having their origins in Roman and Greek antiquity.

Working mainly in terracotta and bronze, Galligani’s work is both intriguing and thought provoking. Indeed, his mythically inspired themes have understandably attracted the attention of various galleries around the world.

Born in 1957, Galligani trained at the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence and Carrara. He currently works from his studio which is located in Castellina in Chianti, near Siena.

This artist’s work has also achieved critical acclaim, and he has been hailed as:

"…one of the latest generation of “masters” of Italian sculpture" - Francesco Gurrieri Art Diary Critic, 2003

Here is a selection of Galligani’s pieces:

[Show as slideshow]

Should you wish to see more examples of Galligani’s work, then they can be viewed in various locations both around Europe and in North America. The list below provides the locations and dates of exhibitions displaying this artist’s work:

• Rarity Gallery Mykonos Greece (April - October 2008)
• Interart Sculpture Garden Heeswijk - Dinther Holland (May - October 2008)
• Sculpture Exhibition Chateau Neercanne (Gallery bell’Arte ) Maastricht - Holland (May - September 2008)
• Personal Exhibition Gallery bell’arte Maastricht - Holland (November 2008)
• "The Odissey Within" Agora Gallery, New York (December 2008)

More details, and examples of Galligani’s work and information about the artist himself, including contact details, can be found on his personal website: Luigi Galligani

With thanks to Mr Galligani, firstly for having taken the time to speak to me, and for having very kindly given his permission, orally, for Italy is in to display some examples of his work.

Simone Racheli is Florence born Italian artist who trained primarily as a sculptor at Florence’s Fine Arts Academy.

Having adopted the theme of ‘hyper-realism’, Racheli’s recent works feature ‘fleshless’ sculptures. His subjects, though, are not objects which normally have flesh. Indeed, he portrays a more mundane but quite diverse rage of objects, such as washbasins and motorbikes.

The fruits of his recent endeavours are eye catching, if somewhat disturbing, pieces.

Examples of this artist’s unique creations are on display at the Galleria Enrico Astuni in Pietrasanta.

Italy is in has not yet acquired permission to display Rachelli’s works, but examples can be seen here .

One of Racheli’s most startling pieces is what must be one of the most original interpretations of a motorbike ever seen. It is recommended that viewers use the ‘view image’ function, usually found by right clicking on a mouse, because the photo initially visible is somewhat distorted.

Actually, Italy is in’s Alex Roe, who was covering the MiArt 2008 Contemporary and Modern Art Exhibition in Milan for another on-line publication, first spotted Racheli’s work at this event. He found it enthralling.

The distinctive originality of this artist means that his work begs to be followed, and who knows in which direction his creativity will take him.

Racheli now lives and works in Parma, Italy.

Welcome to Italy is in , the site dedicated to tracking down and displaying the works of contemporary Italian artists. In this section we are going to explain our raison d’etre. We hope you enjoy your stay, and, more importantly, that you decide to return regularly to see what’s new.

Dedication

This site was inspired by an Italian sculptor I know quite well - Gianpietro Carelesso. The purpose of Italy is in is, quite simply, to tell the world about Italian contemporary art and artists.

Contemporary Art

By contemporary art, we mean painting, sculpture, photography, and digital art, plus any other medium that can be considered to be art.

What is the Scope of Italy is in? Why?

Run by myself, Alex Roe, and my researcher, Gaetano Salvo, Italy is in aims to track down and publish information about as many artists and their work as we can find. Why? Simple! Because we want to help Italian artists publicise and sell their work. If as a result, we encourage others to embark on artistic endeavours, wonderful! The world will be a better place as a result.

We are not art critics!

We do not intend to criticize the work displayed on this site, because we both know that taste in art is highly personal. However, that said, we are not going to publish any old work unless we consider it has some artistic merit.

The Gallery

In order to give as much space as possible to the display of the work of artists featured on this site, Italy is in also has a Gallery area. The Gallery is divided into specific areas for each artist who chooses to display his or her work there.

The Gallery is a free resource, and we would like to keep it free for as long as we can. Some of the work displayed in the Galley is available for purchase. If you the work of a certain artist interests you, then please contact Alex Roe , and he will put you in touch with the artist concerned or his or agent.

Thanks for visiting and reading.

Our best regards,

Alex Roe and Gaetano Salvo

Working mainly in watercolours, Ferrigno’s work attempts to capture the character and feel of Sicilian scenes. Much of his work features the buildings and thoroughfares of small Sicilian towns and villages. The imagery in Ferrigno’s works is likely to appeal to those of Sicilian origin, or possibly even those wishing to possess something which brings back happy memories of places visited during a vacation on this fascinating Mediterranean island. Read more