Valerio Murri: Reassembling Reality Through Fragments
Valerio Murri, an Italian artist hailing from Viareggio and born in 1968, creates visual narratives by reinterpreting aspects of reality. With a background in political science, he engages in a diverse artistic practice that includes painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, and installation. His artwork often contrasts familiar motifs—such as animals, clothing, and ambiguous figures—that lose their significance on the canvas. Murri’s oil paintings are characterized by flat surfaces and scratchy textures, fostering a sense of estrangement while still retaining figurative elements. His fascination with religious themes arises from considerations of secularization. Key pieces include 'The Office' (2022) and 'Their Shadows' (2022-24). In 2026, he will showcase 'Lieu-NonLieu IV' at Villa Borzino, merging 'Their Shadows' with 'Contagion' sketches. His upcoming series 'Hands' (2024-25) explores hands as a form of indirect self-portraiture.
Key facts
- Valerio Murri was born in 1968 in Viareggio, where he lives and works.
- Murri studied political science before pursuing art.
- His practice includes painting, drawing, Polaroid photography, sculpture, and installation.
- He often uses religious imagery such as monks, nuns, crucifixes, and rosaries in his works.
- His oil paintings are characterized by flat, dry surfaces and visible, scratchy marks.
- The painting 'The Office' (2022) depicts a religious figure with an undefined face.
- The installation 'Lieu-NonLieu IV' was exhibited at Villa Borzino in Busalla, Liguria, in 2026.
- The series 'Hands' (2024-25) consists of twelve oil-on-paper works displayed on an antique piece of furniture.
- Murri's work explores themes of time, presence, and the transformation of meaning through recontextualization.
Entities
Artists
- Valerio Murri
Institutions
- Juliet Art Magazine
- Villa Borzino
Locations
- Viareggio
- Italy
- Busalla
- Liguria