Ernesto Tatafiore retrospective at CasaMadre in Naples

A solo exhibition of Ernesto Tatafiore (born 1943 in Marigliano) opened at CasaMadre Arte Contemporanea in Naples, the former Modern Art Agency of Lucio Amelio, where Tatafiore exhibited about fifty years ago. The show, titled simply 'Tatafiore,' features iron and bronze sculptures, and paintings on paper and canvas of various sizes. The first room presents suspended works evoking laundry lines typical of Naples, in blue, black, red, gray, yellow, and orange, blending Surrealism and Minimalism. The second room includes 'Bivulcanico' (1990), a large acrylic on Fabriano cardboard, and bronze sculptures such as 'Penelope,' 'Circe,' 'Nuvolari,' 'San Gennaro,' and 'Fidia,' leading to 'Verso Itaca I' (1992). The exhibition references Tatafiore's recurring themes: the French Revolution (Robespierre, Marie Antoinette, guillotine), Mount Vesuvius, Masaniello, and female figures inspired by Partenope. Tatafiore participated in the 'Terrae Motus' collection-exhibition at the Reggia di Caserta, a project by Lucio Amelio after the 1980 Irpinia earthquake, with his work '23 novembre 1980.' The gallery at Palazzo Partanna in Piazza dei Martiri remains a key contemporary art hub; Amelio's Modern Art Agency (from 1965) showcased international artists like Cy Twombly, Jannis Kounellis, Mimmo Paladino, Mario Merz, Keith Haring, and Robert Rauschenberg. The same square was a cultural center for Andy Warhol, Joseph Beuys, and filmmaker Mario Martone.