Gustavo Bonora: The Painter, Musician, and Psychoanalyst
Gustavo Bonora, born in Bologna in 1930 and passing away in Milan in 2014, was an eclectic creator who fused painting, music, and psychoanalysis. After completing his studies at the Liceo Artistico in Bologna and pursuing architecture in Florence, he relocated to Milan in 1956, where he worked alongside Luciano Damiani at the Teatro Piccolo. He co-established Società Nuova with fellow artists such as Attilio Forgioli and Gianfranco Pardi, advocating for Brecht and Mayakovsky. Bonora also formed the music collective Nadma with Davide Mosconi and others, producing recordings with Playco. In the 1970s, he shifted his focus to psychoanalysis while creating abstract art. His work received acclaim from critic Flavio Caroli in Corriere della Sera. He founded the Centro Culturale S. Tecla, which hosted a Lacanian seminar until 1986. The Archivio Gustavo Bonora continues to preserve his legacy.
Key facts
- Gustavo Bonora was born in Bologna in 1930 and died in Milan in 2014.
- He studied at Liceo Artistico in Bologna and architecture in Florence.
- He moved to Milan in 1956 and worked as assistant to Luciano Damiani at Teatro Piccolo.
- He co-founded the group Società Nuova with Attilio Forgioli, Gianfranco Pardi, Lello Castellaneta, Attilio Del Comune, and Gianni Rossi.
- He formed the music group Nadma with Carlo Ruffini, Davide Mosconi, Enzo Gardenghi, and Marco Cristofolini; they recorded with Playco.
- In the 1970s he practiced psychoanalysis while painting abstract works.
- Flavio Caroli wrote about Bonora in Corriere della Sera, comparing him to Burri and Fontana.
- He founded Centro Culturale S. Tecla and hosted a Lacanian seminar until 1986 with Marco Focchi and Amelia Barbui.
- In 1997 he participated in the group 'I pittori del Giudizio' for the 400th anniversary of Melchiorre D'Enrico.
- His work is promoted by the Archivio Gustavo Bonora.
Entities
Artists
- Gustavo Bonora
- Luciano Damiani
- Attilio Forgioli
- Gianfranco Pardi
- Lello Castellaneta
- Attilio Del Comune
- Gianni Rossi
- Mino Ceretti
- Claudio Olivieri
- Giuseppe Guerreschi
- Alik Cavaliere
- Emilio Tadini
- Carlo Ruffini
- Davide Mosconi
- Enzo Gardenghi
- Marco Cristofolini
- Flavio Caroli
- Alberto Burri
- Lucio Fontana
- Marco Focchi
- Amelia Barbui
- Ajmone
- Castiglioni
- Fizzotti
- Melchiorre D'Enrico
Institutions
- Teatro Piccolo
- Società Nuova
- Accademia di Brera
- Playco
- Centro Culturale S. Tecla
- Corriere della Sera
- Archivio Gustavo Bonora
Locations
- Bologna
- Italy
- Florence
- Milan
- Boccorio
- Vercelli
- Riva Valdobbia