Patrizio Di Massimo's theatrical paintings explore art world dynamics at Kura Milan

Patrizio Di Massimo presented oil paintings at Kura in Milan from 25 September to 20 November 2019. The London-based Italian artist depicts art professionals and historical figures in theatrical scenes reminiscent of commedia dell'arte. His works feature bold palettes and sharp outlines, with characters often frozen in dramatic poses against velvet-curtained sets. The exhibition includes pieces from his ongoing 'quarrel series,' such as Prussian Love portraying collectors Alan Prada and Fabio Cherstich, and Bauhau showing artist Goshka Macuga with partner Nabil Bouhir. Di Massimo engages with art history through appropriations like Epico Cavalleresco (After Joseph Paul Blanc), which reimagines a 19th-century French painting with a Chinese warrior. The artist appears in various states of undress in Untitled (Green Triptych), exploring themes of bondage and domination. Self-Portrait as abstract painter (after Annie Leibovitz) recreates a 1981 Rolling Stone cover of Steve Martin, replacing Franz Kline's black paint with pink. The smallest work, Diana (6 months), portrays the artist's newborn daughter with a puzzled expression. Di Massimo's paintings reference multiple artistic influences including Balthus, Pierre Klossowski, Giorgio de Chirico, Alberto Savinio, and Antonio Donghi. The exhibition was reviewed in the January & February 2020 issue of ArtReview.