Emilio Isgrò Celebrated at Rome's Galleria Nazionale for 60 Years of Cancellature

Emilio Isgrò, the Sicilian conceptual artist born in 1937, is the focus of 'Emilio Isgrò: Protagonista 2024' at the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome. The initiative, curated by director Cristina Mazzantini, features a dedicated sala showcasing his 'cancellature' (erasures), a practice he began in 1964 as a reaction to Pop Art's emphasis on images over words. The exhibition includes recent works such as 'Planetarium' (2023), 'Isgrò cancella Isgrò' (2024), 'Storico' (1972), and 'Tavole della Legge' (1994). A program of 'Lezioni di Cancellatura' and 'Riflessioni sulla Cancellatura' starts May 14, involving writers and poets. Isgrò created 'Isgrò cancella Isgrò' by erasing his autobiographical novel 'Autocurriculum', using black and gold inks to honor Italian illuminated manuscripts. The work will be donated to the museum. A yellow truck parked at the entrance bears the phrase 'This vehicle transports an ant', reflecting Isgrò's philosophy of magnifying small things. The artist emphasizes his erasures are constructive, not destructive, and criticizes contemporary artists focused on packaging rather than formalizing their work.