Biella's emerging contemporary art hub: Pistoletto and Woolbridge Gallery
A discussion at Cittadellarte in Biella highlighted a new contemporary art center, featuring Michelangelo Pistoletto, Woolbridge Gallery founders Jean Le Guyader and Patrick Saletta, along with critic Giorgio Verzotti. Their partnership commenced in November 2021 with the exhibition Zona Bianca Zero, which included Pistoletto’s work. Currently, four pieces from that exhibition—by Massimo De Caria, Daniele Innamorato, Filippo Berta, and twins Carlo and Fabio Ingrassia—are displayed in Quattro pezzi (non tanto) facili. Saletta likened Woolbridge to a carriage driven by Pistoletto's locomotive, emphasizing Biella's affordable environment as Parisian galleries relocate. Woolbridge Gallery spans 10,000 square meters in the old Lanificio Tessile Pria, showcasing artists such as Andy Warhol and Takashi Murakami. Pistoletto and Saletta also addressed market shifts since 2020.
Key facts
- Cittadellarte and Woolbridge Gallery are collaborating to create an art hub in Biella.
- The collaboration started in November 2021 with the exhibition Zona Bianca Zero.
- The current exhibition Quattro pezzi (non tanto) facili features works by Massimo De Caria, Daniele Innamorato, Filippo Berta, and Carlo and Fabio Ingrassia.
- Woolbridge Gallery occupies 10,000 sqm in a former textile mill and shows works by Warhol, Murakami, and others.
- Pistoletto compared the artists' approach to Arte Povera's essentialism.
- Saletta said Biella offers low prices compared to Paris.
- Le Guyader noted Biella's proximity to Milan, Turin, Lugano, and Malpensa.
- The market discussion noted that works over €10,000 have held value since 2020.
Entities
Artists
- Michelangelo Pistoletto
- Jean Le Guyader
- Patrick Saletta
- Giorgio Verzotti
- Massimo De Caria
- Daniele Innamorato
- Filippo Berta
- Carlo Ingrassia
- Fabio Ingrassia
- Nicola De Maria
- Piero Dorazio
- Takashi Murakami
- Luigi Ontani
- Mimmo Paladino
- Giulio Paolini
- Mario Schifano
- Julian Schnabel
- Andy Warhol
- Gilberto Zorio
- Marco di Castri
- Gianfranco Barberi
Institutions
- Cittadellarte
- Fondazione Pistoletto
- Woolbridge Gallery
- Lanificio Tessile Pria
- Artribune
Locations
- Biella
- Italy
- Cervo river
- Paris
- France
- Milan
- Turin
- Lugano
- Switzerland
- Malpensa