Gianni Dessì (Rome, Italy, 1955)

Born in Rome in 1955, Gianni Dessì studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in scenography under Toti Scialoja. In the 1970s, he began collaborating with the artist and with the avant-garde theatre scene.

In the early 1980s, he co-founded the San Lorenzo School with D. Bianchi, B. Ceccobelli, G. Gallo, Nunzio, and P. Pizzi Cannella. In 1984, he opened his studio to the public for the "Ateliers" exhibition, curated by A. Bonito Oliva. His first solo show was at Arte Fiera in Bologna in 1979. He participated in the São Paulo Biennial in 1981, Paris Biennial in 1982, and Venice Biennale in 1984 and 1986. He was also featured in several group displays at the Venice Biennale in 1984, 1986 and 1993, and at the Rome Quadriennale in 1986 and 1996.

During these years, he was highly active across Europe, in Rome, Berlin, Paris and New York. He developed a new relationship with colour, which became more intense and luminous.

He approached sculpture in the 2000s, presenting his works to the public at the Galleria dell'Oca in 2003. His sculptural practice culminated in 2006 with a solo exhibition at the Macro in Rome.

He also kept working for the theatre scene, crafting sets for Richard Wagner's Parsifal. Between 2008 and 2010, he designed the scenography for Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle, which was staged at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Het Muziektheater in Amsterdam.

In 2008, he became a member of the National Academy of San Luca, and served as its president for the 2017-2018 term. 

He lives and works in Rome.

Photo UniCredit Group (Sebastiano Pellion di Persano)