Gigi Pedroli, Milanese Artist Who Founded Incision Center, Dies at 92

Gigi Pedroli, the Milanese artist and founder of the Centro dell'Incisione on the Naviglio Grande, has died at age 92. Born in Milan in 1932, he studied at the Civica Scuola di Arte del Castello before starting his career in advertising as a graphic designer. In 1975, with his wife Gabriella, he transformed three abandoned rooms in Palazzo Galloni (Alzaia Naviglio Grande 66) into a center for engraving, which became a meeting place for artists to work, exhibit, and converse. Despite initial resistance due to the Navigli's bad reputation, the center thrived with exhibitions, meetings, entertainment evenings, and cabaret. It later offered amateur engraving courses for children and professionals. Pedroli's artistic practice spanned etching, oil painting, mosaic, fresco, and ceramics (produced at Fornace Curti). He also composed popular songs in a mix of Italian and Milanese dialect. His dreamlike works, featuring deformed human figures, animals, and invented objects like a recurring wheeled ship, were exhibited in numerous Italian and international solo and group shows. In 2020, he and his wife received the Ambrogino d'Oro, Milan's highest civic honor. Pedroli remained active until his death, sustaining the center he founded.