Marinella Senatore on Gender, Fees, and Italy's Art System Crisis

Marinella Senatore, named Artist of the Year 2026 at the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GNAMC) in Rome, gave an interview critiquing Italy's art infrastructure. She highlighted systemic issues: lack of fair compensation, inadequate tax laws, no unemployment benefits for artists, and bureaucratic hurdles. Senatore noted a 15% gender pay gap documented by international studies, and that women demanding fees are often seen as 'difficult'. She contrasted Italy with more supportive systems abroad, where artist fees are standard and long-term relationships between institutions and artists are cultivated. Senatore, who works extensively internationally, said Italy lacks a cohesive ecosystem, relying on isolated episodes rather than sustained support. She also pointed to a provincial mindset that looks abroad for validation while neglecting local talent. The interview coincided with her upcoming project at Procuratie Vecchie in Piazza San Marco, Venice, for The Human Safety Net, developed over a year with vulnerable families. Senatore's practice, spanning over 23 years, is rooted in collective participation and relational aesthetics, involving communities, schools, and public spaces.