Paolo Icaro, born Pietro Paolo Chissotti in Turin in 1936, is a distinguished Italian artist whose innovative work spans across sculpture and painting. He is notably one of the youngest representatives of the Italian art movement Arte Povera, a term that translates to "poor art" and refers to a group of artists in Italy in the late 1960s and early 1970s who sought to radically challenge the values of the commercialized contemporary gallery system through the use of everyday or "poor" materials. Icaro's journey into the world of art began at a young age. In 1955, he enrolled in the Faculty of Letters at the University of Turin, but his passion for art led him to abandon his studies in 1958. He then embarked on a formative period of sculptural practice in the studio of Umberto Mastroianni, an established abstract sculptor. This early decision to pursue sculpture set the stage for a career marked by experimentation and innovation. In 1960, Icaro moved to Rome, where he held his first solo exhibition at the Galleria Schneider just two years later. His early work quickly garnered attention, and in 1964, he was awarded the Ministry for Foreign Trade Award at the 3rd Ceramic Art Biennale of Gubbio. By 1965, Icaro had been invited to participate in the IX Quadriennale of Rome, further solidifying his reputation in the Italian art scene. The late 1960s were a pivotal time for Icaro. In 1966, he relocated to New York, a move that significantly influenced his artistic direction. During this period, he developed the concept of "Forme di spazio" (Forms of Space), later known as "Gabbie" (Cages), which were metal structures that, rather than occupying space, became the place and origin of that space. This concept reflected Icaro's ongoing exploration of space and form, themes that would continue to permeate his work. While in America, Icaro maintained close ties with the Italian art scene. In 1967, he was invited by Germano Celant, the art historian who coined the term Arte Povera, to participate in the exhibition "Arte Povera Im-spazio" at Galleria La Bertesca in Genoa. This exhibition was crucial in defining the Arte Povera movement, and Icaro's participation aligned him with a group of artists committed to challenging conventional art practices. Upon his return to Italy, Icaro continued to explore the relationship between space, form, and material. His work from this period is characterized by a deep engagement with the physical and tactile qualities of materials such as plaster, steel, and wood. Icaro's sculptures often invite the viewer to engage with space in new and unexpected ways, challenging perceptions of form and structure. Throughout his career, Icaro has been the subject of numerous solo exhibitions, both in Italy and internationally. His work has been featured in major retrospectives, including a comprehensive survey at the Galleria d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Turin, which spanned 55 years of his artistic production. Icaro's contributions to the field of sculpture and his role in the Arte Povera movement have been widely recognized and celebrated. In addition to his sculptural work, Icaro has also made significant contributions to painting, further demonstrating his versatility as an artist. His paintings, like his sculptures, are marked by an interest in space and form, often incorporating geometric shapes and a restrained color palette. Today, Paolo Icaro continues to live and work in Tavullia, Italy, where he remains an influential figure in contemporary art. His work, characterized by a constant investigation of space and material, stands as a testament to a career dedicated to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

Paolo Icaro Quotes and Sales of Works

Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current market values.

If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the artist, contact us immediately.

If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the works:

Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back, and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work and any kind of available documentation (purchase receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme professionalism.

If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us and let us know your request. We will inform you about the available works. We also offer the possibility to subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be informed at the beginning of each month about the latest acquisitions of the art gallery.

You can send us pictures of the work:

• by mail –>  [email protected]
• by WhatsApp –> +39 3205747749