Fondazione Marconi Celebrates Mario Schifano with Milan Exhibition

Fondazione Marconi in Milan is hosting an exhibition dedicated to Mario Schifano (1934–1998), marking ten years since the artist's death. The show, titled 'Omaggio a Mario Schifano. Al principio fu Vero amore,' features works from the foundation's collection and traces Schifano's career from his early Pop Art influences to his later television-inspired pieces. Schifano, a key figure in the Roman art scene of Piazza del Popolo alongside Tano Festa and Franco Angeli, was drawn to Pop Art during trips to New York in the early 1960s. There he encountered works by Claes Oldenburg, Andy Warhol, and others, leading to series like 'Vero amore' and 'Paesaggi anemici.' He also paid homage to Futurism, as seen in 'Futurismo rivisitato' (1965). Photography and cinema deeply influenced his practice, evident in works like 'Compagni compagni' (1968). The exhibition culminates with the 'Paesaggi TV' series from 1970, where Schifano captured television screens on canvas. Gallerist Giorgio Marconi, who has represented Schifano since the 1960s, notes that this show follows earlier retrospectives at the same venue: 'Schifano 1960-1964. Dal monocromo alla strada' (2005) and 'Schifano 1964-1970. Dal paesaggio alla TV' (2006). The exhibition underscores the enduring dialogue between artist and gallerist.