Raffaella Cortese on Art, Poetry, and the Future of Galleries
Raffaella Cortese, an Italian gallerist, opened her first gallery in Milan back in 1995. She represents a variety of artists, including Joan Jonas and Simone Forti, and recently expanded with a second gallery called Aedicula in Albisola Superiore, Liguria, in 2022. Influenced by minimalist poetry, she shares a bond with fellow gallerist Tucci Russo and enjoys Nordic thrillers. A notable project was her donation of Marcello Maloberti's neon artwork 'INVITAMI NOTTE A IMMAGINARE LE STELLE' to the Memoriale della Shoah di Milano for Holocaust Remembrance Day 2023, which has engaged over 50,000 students. While valuing her Italian roots, she encourages new gallerists to prioritize passion and professionalism, all while staying present and open to artistic visions.
Key facts
- Raffaella Cortese opened her first gallery in Milan in 1995.
- She represents artists Joan Jonas, Simone Forti, Yael Bartana, Miroslaw Balka, Roni Horn, Monica Bonvicini, Francesco Arena, and Marcello Maloberti.
- In 2022, she opened Aedicula, a second space in Albisola Superiore, Liguria.
- She donated Marcello Maloberti's neon 'INVITAMI NOTTE A IMMAGINARE LE STELLE' to the Memoriale della Shoah di Milano for Holocaust Remembrance Day 2023.
- The neon work has attracted over 50,000 student visitors.
- The project introduced her to Liliana Segre.
- She cites poetry, especially minimalism, as a key inspiration.
- She has not opened a gallery abroad, preferring to focus on Italy.
Entities
Artists
- Raffaella Cortese
- Joan Jonas
- Simone Forti
- Yael Bartana
- Miroslaw Balka
- Roni Horn
- Monica Bonvicini
- Francesco Arena
- Marcello Maloberti
- Liliana Segre
- Tucci Russo
- Nanni Moretti
- Peter Handke
- Wassily Kandinsky
- Ludovico Pratesi
Institutions
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Milano
- Aedicula Raffaella Cortese
- Memoriale della Shoah di Milano
- Artribune
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Albisola Superiore
- Liguria
- Lombardy
- Venice