ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Gianni Politi: Painting as Resistance and Vertical Exploration

artist · 2026-05-04

Gianni Politi, a 1986 native of Rome, perceives painting as a form of resistance and a medium for conveying messages about static imagery. His artistic approach emphasizes the vertical exploration of materials and personal fixations, comparing his work to 'Chinese boxes.' Central to his creations is memory; he portrays his father to connect with his roots, while his abstract pieces seek to dissolve his ego. His exhibition, 'Paintings From the Old World,' showcased at 56 Henry in New York, presents Rome through abstract art and custom shirts as symbols of decay. Politi feels like a trailblazer in the evolving landscape of Italian contemporary painting. His solo shows include Galleria Lorcan O’Neill (2018), and he participated in group exhibitions at Palazzo Mazzarino (2018) and Museo di Castelvecchio (2017).

Key facts

  • Gianni Politi was born in Rome in 1986.
  • He describes painting as resistance and a means to educate viewers about static images.
  • His practice is vertical, exploring materials, techniques, and personal obsessions in depth.
  • He paints only his father to remember his origins; abstract works aim to annihilate his ego.
  • He values only discoveries, not the irrational or unexpected.
  • His solo exhibitions include 56 Henry (New York, 2018), McNamara Art Project (Hong Kong, 2018), and Fonderia Artistica Battaglia (Milan, 2018).
  • Group exhibitions include Museo di Castelvecchio (Verona, 2017) and La Triennale di Milano (Milan, 2018).
  • He has exhibited at Galleria Nazionale di Arte Moderna di Roma, Nomas Foundation, American Academy in Rome, and Italian Cultural Council in Prague.

Entities

Artists

  • Gianni Politi
  • Giuseppe Buzzotta
  • Gaetano Gandolfi
  • Ilaria
  • Saverio Verini

Institutions

  • Galleria Lorcan O’Neill
  • Fonderia Artistica Battaglia
  • McNamara Art Project
  • 56 Henry
  • Palazzo Zino
  • Castello di Carini
  • Palazzo Mazzarino
  • Ipercorpo
  • Ex Deposito ATR
  • La Vallonea
  • La Triennale di Milano
  • Galleria FuoriCampo
  • StudioO2
  • Museo di Castelvecchio
  • Temple University Rome
  • Galleria Nazionale di Arte Moderna di Roma
  • Nomas Foundation
  • American Academy in Rome
  • Italian Cultural Council
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • Milan
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Palermo
  • Carini
  • Forlì
  • Capalbio
  • Siena
  • Cremona
  • Verona
  • Prague

Sources