Statement
I am fascinated by the human body, particularly by the way in which simple gestures can symbolize so much more than what they are.
Through contemplation of the everyday life and perfectly normal people, I create sculptures that convey human emotions and feelings that transcend the context of their story or settings.
Urban elements that take the form of rocks, concrete, or steel accompany my bronze sculptures, creating a paradoxical statement. The rough and brutal texture of the rubble contrasts with the fragile nature of the bronzes resulting in a delicate harmony between my sculptures and surrounding elements. My bronze sculptures also evoke a state of suffering, healing, struggling, and comfort through their body lightness and peculiar details.
Maestri like Rodin, Marino Marini, Alberto Giacometti, and Henry Moore all inspire my work.
While my creative process is deeply personal and a true expression of my beliefs, there is very little structure to the process by which I turn clay into a sculpture, I don’t think about making art - rather, when I create art, I am the best and most free version of myself.
I cast my sculptures in bronze to give them a sense of permanence, and three-dimensionality. My work accomplishes its objective only when it truly touches the spirit of people that are viewing it.
Biography
Ilaria Arpino is an Italian sculptor, painter and conceptual artist who was born and raised in the foothills of the Italian Alps. She studied fine art, illustration and advertising in Torino, Italy.
In her 20s, Ilaria moved to Philadelphia, USA establishing a career as an Art Director.
Her artwork and poster design were selected to promote former First Lady Mrs. Barbara Bush’s “Story Time” in collaboration with Time Warner Inc. A number of her paintings have been used in national advertising campaigns in Italy and the USA including her ink illustrations and design of the book “Standing in the shadow of Motown” depicting the life and music of Motown legend James Jamerson.
Ilaria’s passion for art fueled her love to travel and live abroad. Her breadth of international experiences enhanced her creativity and gained her a clearer sense of self.
Stripped of her ordinary surroundings and people, Ilaria created new work that was featured in exhibitions across the USA, Italy, France, Thailand, Macao and China.
During Ilaria’s years in Asia she had the unique opportunity to collaborate with renowned Chinese calligrapher Carlos Choi Chun Heng in the art exhibit “East meets West.”
After living almost 12 years in South East Asia, Ilaria moved back to the USA; this time to Miami. In 2018 and 2019 Ilaria exhibited her work at Art Miami/ Art Basel.
Her new artistic approach was influenced by living in foreign countries and using traditional medias; this is vividly apparent in her most recent works.
A series of figurative bronze sculptures emerges from a 10 yard-long-roll of white paper. The paper is stroked boldly with black ink in abstract calligraphy symbols that represent an emblematic PATH OF LIFE. This installation was exhibited in Madrid during the summer of 2018 at Faim Art Fair.
In line with her international art path, in 2018 Ilaria won the prestigious Maradiva Art Residency in the Mauritius Island organized by Arte Laguna Venice, Italy and the Basu Foundation for the Arts based in Kolkata, India.
In September 2020 Ilaria’s work was featured at the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center in New York City; the groundbreaking art exhibition "The AD Art Show".
Exhibitions
2021 Art Expo, New York (postponed)
2020 Covid-19 The Art of Isolation . Virtual Exhibition
2020 Oculus at The Westfield Trade Center, NYC, NY
2020 FAIM ART FAIR, Madrid Spain ( postponed to 2021)
2020 Art Wynwood Miami, FL USA
2020 GALLERY 88 Miami Beach, FL USA (group) current
2019 Art Miami, Art Basel Week, Miami FL USA
2019 Vizcayne pop-up Art Gallery, Miami FL USA (solo)
2019 ADC Fine Art Gallery, Cincinnati OH USA (group)
2019 MAC Art Gallery, Jupiter FL USA (group)
2018 MAC Art Gallery, Fort Lauderdale FL USA (group)
2018 Soul Abstractions revealed GALLERY 88, Miami Beach FL USA (group)
2018 Maradiva Art Gallery, Mauritius (current)
2018 SPECTRUM MIAMI, Art Basel Week Miami FL USA
2018 Urban Angels MARADIVA Art Gallery Mauritius (solo)
2018 Wynwood Juried Show Miami FL USA (group)
2018 Path of Life, Alma Sensai FAIM ART FAIR, Madrid Spain
2018 Wynwood Life and Art Festival Miami FL USA (group)
2015 Nihao International Art Festival JFC Art Gallery, Xiamen China (group)
2009 Taipa Art Gallery, Taipa Macao (solo)
2008 East meets West Portuguese Cultural Center, Macao (solo)
2007 Bangkok Cultural Center Bangkok, Thailand (solo)
2005 Life out of context, Thomas Jefferson University Art Gallery, Philadelphia PA USA (solo)
2004 Les fammes, Raffaello Art gallery Nice, France (solo)
2003 Artisti per uno spazio, Sala Auditorium Borelli, Boves CN Italy (group)
2003 Life out of Context,The Philadelphia Ethical Society Art Gallery, Philadelphia PA USA
2003 Life out of Context, The Art Alliance Gallery at the Rittenhouse Hotel, Philadelphia PA USA (solo)
2001 Chorus of a woman, The Kelly Writer House Art Gallery, University of Penn Philadelphia, USA (solo)
2000 Mochulu Vessel Pop-up Art Gallery, Philadelphia PA USA (group)
1999 Sheraton Hotel Pop-up Art Gallery, Philadelphia PA USA (group)
Awards
2020 Sculpture Winner of Artrepreneur for “The Blues”
2019 Sculpture Finalist of Artrooms, London, GB
2019 Sculpture Finalist of ACA (Art comes Alive) Cincinnati, OH USA
2018 Maradiva Art Residency Prize, Mauritius, organized by Arte Laguna, Venice Italy and basu Foundation for the Arts
2018 Wynwood Juried Art Show, Sculpture Miami, USA
2001 Philadelphia Art Director’s Club Design Philadelphia, USA
Collections
2020 Africa | sculpture | bronze | Private collection of Ms. Sarah Novascone, USA
2020 Karpo (Winter) | sculpture | bronze | Private collection of Galleria Arte Martinelli, Milan, Italy
2019 Lady Isabelle | sculpture | bronze | Private collection of Mr. Daniel G. Kuy, Cincinnati OH USA
2019 The Anarchist | sculpture | bronze | Private collection of Ms. Brenda Freeman Miami FL USA
2019 The Introvert | sculpture | bronze | Private collection of Mr. Jon Beason, Miami FL USA
2019 Reflection, sculpture | bronze| Private collection of Mr. Alan K. Mills, Indianapolis IN USA
2019 Woman no cry | sculpture | bronze| Private collection of Mr. Franklin Sirmans, Miami FL USA
2018 Waiting for Luca, | sculpture | bronze| Private collection of Ms. Nancy Thaler, New York City NY USA
2018 Freedom | sculpture | mixed media | Private collection of The Maradiva Art Gallery, Mauritius
2018 Wing of Freedom | sculpture | bronze| Private collection of The Maradiva Art Gallery, Mauritius
2018 The Wave | sculpture | mixed media | Private collection of The Basu Foundation for The Arts, Kolkata, India
2018 Tropical leaf | sculpture | mixed media | Private collection of Mr. Ramdanee CEO of Maradiva Resort, Mauritius
2009 The Jump | Painting | Acrylic | Private collection of Mrs. Sarah Sheldon, Melborne Australia
2008 Healing | Painting | Acrylic | Private collection of Ms. Marina Donia, Dubai UAE
2008 The lightness | Painting | Acrylic | Private collection of Ms.Tina Russel, Hong Kong
Foundations
• Artist supported by The Basu Foundation for The Arts, Kolkata, India
• Ambassador for The Basu Foundation for The Arts in Miami, USA
