Silvano Bavia was born in South of Italy, Lecce, spent many years in London, and now lives and works in Florence.
His mixed cultural heritage and international background is reflected in his practice, and his work is rooted in the fusion of the ancient tradition of papier-mâché – a practice originating from ‘Salento’ in Puglia – with the spirit of western modern aesthetic.
Used for centuries in the production of religious statues, Papier-mâché remains one of the oldest examples of recycling practices.
Bavia takes the humble material and transforms it into emotional and alchemical 3D installations.
112 x 112 x 15cm
His work, both attractive and seductive, engages the viewers’ visual and tactile perceptions, making them wonder about the palpable aspects of the delicate floral forms.
Hand-made individually from recycled newspaper, each rose embodies vibrant and contrasting elements of texture, color and light, creating a dialogue between renewal and tradition, canons and conceptualism.
200 x 144 x 15 cm
The Rose is the predominant imagery, chosen for its inner alchemical meaning: representation of birth, purity and beauty of the universe – that of the Philosopher’s Stone.
Mashing up poor and recycled materials, Bavia transforms the awful events described in the paper into the beauty of hundreds of roses.
Silvano creates also bespoke installations on request.
50 x 50 x 15cm
No 20 Art Gallery is proud to present "ROSES", the new collection of Silvano Bavia.
No 20
20 Cross Street
London
N1 2BG
UK
