Bruno Ceccobelli's Spiritual Journey in Assisi

Bruno Ceccobelli's exhibition 'CANTICO. Nel segno di Francesco' opens at Palazzo Bonacquisti in Assisi from April 30 to September 6, 2026, curated by Giovanni Gazzaneo. The show explores spirituality and aesthetics through Ceccobelli's works, which engage with the legacy of Saint Francis. Ceccobelli, a key figure of the Nuova Scuola Romana, uses materials like bitumen, tar paper, and ash to evoke alchemical transformation and mystical fire (Tummo). Notable pieces include 'Saio di san Francesco' (2025) and 'Saio di santa Chiara' (2013), the latter referencing the mended habit preserved in the Basilica of Saint Francis. Works like 'Iride Mercurio' (2025) and 'Polifemo' incorporate cross symbolism, merging horizontal and vertical axes as metaphors for life and transcendence. The exhibition contrasts 'calculative thinking' (Heidegger) with meditative thought, positioning art as a path to authentic existence.