Primarosa Cesarini Sforza's Paper Garden Blooms at Santa Maria della Scala

The exhibition 'Giardino di carta' (Paper Garden) curated by Beatrice Pulcinelli is on view at the Fondazione Antico Ospedale Santa Maria della Scala in Siena, showcasing the work of Primarosa Cesarini Sforza (born 1946, Bologna). The artist, known for blending embroidery, drawing, painting, and assemblage, presents works across three venues: the Biblioteca Giuliano Briganti, the former Refectory, and the Archivio di Stato di Siena. At the library, 'grafts' of twigs, paper flowers, berries, and threads evoke an artificial garden, alongside her diary-books where traditional writing is replaced by drawings and symbols. The Refectory features large-format works including 'Giardino Officinale', a site-specific installation reimagining the historical 'Giardino dei Semplici' of the Spedale Grande di Siena, populated with silhouettes of figures, hands, bowls, medicinal plants, and small animals. The Archivio di Stato section displays the original 1756 plan of the 'Giardino dei semplici' and a 1466 manuscript that inspired a bespoke artist's book. Cesarini Sforza's practice, developed during stays in New York and Morocco, uses paper acquired abroad or found at markets, colored threads, and materials like lead sheets. The exhibition also includes the second edition of the workshop 'Liberi di creare #2' and student labs for creating artist's books.