Massimo Bartolini (Cecina, Italy, 1962)

Massimo Bartolini was born in Cecina in 1962. He first studied as a surveyor in Livorno, then graduated from the Florence Academy of Fine Arts in 1989.

His artistic research focuses on the careful observation of the relationship between man, nature and architectural space.

In his work, the artist consistently strives to disrupt expectations through metaphors for imagination, memory, nostalgia and haunting. His works are mostly reinvented or even created environments. They are never conceived and structured as a static place, but as a multi-sensory dimension.

His installations are immersive, designed to interact with the viewer and make them more aware of what they are experiencing, what is transient and what is permanent.

His first exhibitions in Italy date back to the mid-1990s. After a few years, he began to exhibit abroad: in 2001, he was at PS1 in New York with a Special Project named “Untitled (Wave)” for MoMA. He was then involved in Manifesta 4 in 2002 and Documenta 13 in 2012. He also took part in the Venice Art Biennale, in 1999, 2009 and 2013, and represented the Italian Pavilion at the 60th edition of the event in 2024.

His works are in the collections of renowned museums such as the National Gallery of Canada, MAXXI in Rome, Castello di Rivoli Museo d'Arte Contemporanea, Fundaciò La Caixa in Barcelona and the Magazzino Italian Art Collection in New York.

Massimo Bartolini teaches visual arts at NABA (New Academy of Fine Arts) in Milan and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna.

The artist currently lives and works in Cecina.

Copyright the artist. Photo UniCredit Group