The Social Gallery: New Art Space in Sardinia Merges Social Justice and Contemporary Art

The Social Gallery, a multifunctional art space focused on social justice, has opened in Quartu Sant'Elena, Sardinia, at Via Eligio Porcu. Founded by filmmaker and photographer Giovanni Coda and Aurora Martin, director of the Social Justice Film Festival in Seattle, the project aims to address violated, denied, and lost rights through an artistic lens. A sister venue, Justice Gallery, is being set up in Seattle, with plans for virtual and physical cultural exchanges. The gallery's inaugural exhibition featured Giorgio Russo, Coda's set photographer of twelve years, with a selection of shots from the gender trilogy 'Il rosa nudo', 'Bullied to death', and 'La sposa nel vento', as well as 'Storia di una lacrima', an anthem to life addressing euthanasia, based on Piergiorgio Welby's book 'Ocean Terminal'. A second event honored Welby with a selection of watercolors, engravings, and digital works created with Corel Draw as his physical condition worsened. The gallery also supports local young artists from Quartu Sant'Elena, starting with Davide Gratziu's illustration exhibition 'DOUBLE', focusing on existential fragility, shifting identity, and gender boundaries. In February, Matteo Piccioni's 'Voci dal profondo' will explore the dark side of human existence through painting as autotherapy. These events are part of the V-art Festival Internazionale Immagine d'Autore 'Exposition', directed by Giovanni Coda.