Erk 14's Solo Exhibition at Palazzo Fondi in Naples

Valerio Sarnataro, known as Erk 14, presents a solo exhibition at Palazzo Fondi in Naples, occupying the Vanvitelli rooms on via Medina. The artist, born in Carmagnola in 1986 and raised in Ercolano near Mount Vesuvius, transitioned from working in design and fashion communication agencies to full-time artistry in 2014. His works, primarily acrylic on paper and canvas with stylized monochrome interventions, are interspersed with pieces using glass, wood, fabric, and plexiglass. The exhibition features series Nepesh, exploring his restless personality in search of answers, and Matrice, highlighting contemporary existential conflict. Erk 14 uses black and white to denounce social and cultural issues, emphasizing contrast and choice as escape from the status quo. Notable works include "Vaso" (2017), "Ragionare a tutti i costi" (2018), "Plinio il Vecchio e la pentola a pressione" (2018), and "Bombe" (2018), the latter being transparent glass missiles containing colorful flowers. A standout installation, "Culla" (2018), piles an uncounted number of clothes in a cradle, symbolizing a person's life from birth to death, with items ranging from baby suits to a walking stick. The exhibition is spread across four rooms of the restored Palazzo Fondi, originally restored by Luigi Vanvitelli. Previous exhibitions include "Network" at Galleria Fidia in Rome curated by Serena Di Giovanni, and "Inside" at 1 Opera Gallery in Naples curated by Pietro Tatafiore.