Sara Enrico Wins Arcolaio Art Prize 2026, Debuts Jacquard Sculptures in Abruzzo
Sara Enrico has crafted four new sculptures for the third Arcolaio Art Prize, collectively named Skin Weavers, following her residency at the Arcolaio textile company in Abruzzo. Curators Serena Schioppa and Giulia Floris extended the invitation to Enrico, who utilized a Jacquard weaving machine to create pieces that investigate the concept of fabric as skin. This motif was also evident in her 2019 solo exhibition at the Mart in Rovereto, her display at the National Gallery in Prague, and her 2022 installation at the Venice Art Biennale. The showcase at Fondazione Malvina Menegaz features works on paper showcasing visible codes as chromatic bands. Olga Perticara, CEO of Arcolaio, praised the loom's innovative application. The project draws inspiration from Didier Anzieu's 2017 book L'Io-pelle and included visits to various locations.
Key facts
- Sara Enrico is the winner of the third Arcolaio Art Prize, titled Skin Weavers.
- The prize is organized by the Arcolaio textile company, founded in 1953.
- Enrico produced four new sculptures during a residency in Abruzzo, using the Jacquard loom.
- The works are suspended on stainless steel structures, showing interior and exterior.
- Curators are Serena Schioppa and Giulia Floris.
- The exhibition is held at the Fondazione Malvina Menegaz and includes works on paper.
- Enrico's 2019 double solo show The Jumpsuit Theme was held at the Mart in Rovereto and the National Gallery in Prague.
- Her work was included in the 2022 Venice Art Biennale Central Pavilion exhibition The Milk of Dreams.
- Arcolaio CEO Olga Perticara commented on the innovative use of the loom.
- The project references Didier Anzieu's 2017 book L'Io-pelle (The Skin-Ego).
- Residency site visits included the Eremo di San Bartolomeo in Legio, Parco Nazionale della Maiella, and Campo Imperatore in the Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e dei Monti della Laga.
- Photographers Antonio Iacobone and Paolo Ceritano documented the research.
Entities
Artists
- Sara Enrico
- Ernesto Thayaht
- Madeleine Vionnet
- Didier Anzieu
- Serena Schioppa
- Giulia Floris
- Olga Perticara
- Antonio Iacobone
- Paolo Ceritano
- Floriana Giacinti
- Domenico Conte
- Alberto Nidola
Institutions
- Arcolaio
- Arcolaio Art Prize
- Mart
- Galleria Nazionale di Praga
- La Biennale di Venezia
- Fondazione Malvina Menegaz
- Vistamare Milano / Pescara
- Palazzo Re Rebaudengo
- ATP DIARY
Locations
- Abruzzo
- Italy
- Rovereto
- Prague
- Czech Republic
- Venice
- Eremo di San Bartolomeo in Legio
- Parco Nazionale della Maiella
- Campo Imperatore
- Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e dei Monti della Laga
- Guarene