Giuseppe Stampone on Italy's Art System: 'We Are Not in a Free Country'

In an interview at Villa Romana in Florence, Italian artist Giuseppe Stampone (born 1974) critiques Italy's art system, highlighting the lack of public support for artists. He is the first Italian resident at Villa Romana, a German-funded residency in Florence, now supported by the German Ministry of Culture after Deutsche Bank's withdrawal, potentially limiting future residencies to German artists. Stampone notes that Italy lacks residencies offering €20,000 for work, and young artists often pay to participate rather than receive grants. He argues that Italian artists survive only through galleries, with no economic, legal, or fiscal recognition. He criticizes established artists for perpetuating a stifling system. During the pandemic, Stampone focused on experimental work in Abruzzo, away from fairs and distractions. He points out that museums require artists or galleries to pay for exhibitions, creating conflicts of interest. He laments that public museums are underfunded and dependent on private galleries, limiting freedom. Stampone calls for a new art system, stating the current one is 'gangrenous' and unlikely to reform. The interview also mentions the exhibition 'A Piantare un Chiodo' by Alexis Peskine at Villa Romana.