Antonio Sanfilippo was born on December 8, 1923, in Partanna, a town in the province of Trapani, Italy. From a young age, Sanfilippo showed a keen interest in the arts, which led him to attend the Liceo Artistico in Palermo starting in 1938. Here, he was under the tutelage of Guido Ballo and formed a close friendship with Pietro Consagra. Initially, Sanfilippo and Consagra shared an interest in sculpture, which marked the beginning of Sanfilippo's artistic journey. However, his path took a significant turn in December 1942 when he enrolled in the painting course at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence. It was here that Felice Carena, a notable influence, guided Sanfilippo's early steps into painting. Sanfilippo's penchant for painting en plein air during this period hinted at his future explorations and contributions to the art world. Sanfilippo's artistic career took a more defined shape after World War II. In 1944, while studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Palermo, he met Carla Accardi. This meeting was pivotal; Accardi would later become not only his wife but also a significant collaborator in his artistic endeavors. Together, they visited Paris, a city that has historically been a crucible for artists seeking new ideas and inspirations. In 1947, Sanfilippo joined the Forma group, a collective of artists committed to abstract art and opposed to the then-dominant realism in Italian art, particularly that promoted by the Italian Communist Party. The following year, he exhibited at the Rome Quadriennale and the Venice Biennale, marking his entry into the international art scene. The 1950s were a period of intense activity and recognition for Sanfilippo. He held personal exhibitions at the Cavallino in Venice, the Schneider in Rome, and the Naviglio in Milan. His work was also exhibited internationally in cities such as Tokyo, New York, Osaka, and Pittsburgh. Sanfilippo returned to the Venice Biennale in 1954, 1964, and 1966, each time with a significant personal room, establishing him as a leading figure in Italian abstractionism. In the 1960s, Sanfilippo's work continued to evolve. He held solo shows at the New Vision Centre Gallery in London, the Arco d’Alibert in Rome, and again at the Naviglio in Milan. His exhibitions extended to Chicago, Boston, Paris, and Bern. A notable solo show took place in 1971 at the Editalia Gallery in Rome. His contributions to the art world were recognized in 1980 when the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome dedicated a large anthological exhibition to him. Sanfilippo's work during the early 1960s, particularly the piece "Ochre" exhibited in 1962, showcased his exploration of sign crowding within chromatic areas, often in uniform black. This period marked a shift from the dense web of signs that characterized his earlier works to a more structured approach where signs were enclosed within clearly defined areas. Sanfilippo was interested in merging the energy and variety of his "small sign" with a clearer, more linear spatial construction. This evolution in his work reflected his engagement with "new figuration," a movement that involved many of his contemporaries in Rome. Antonio Sanfilippo's contributions to the Italian and international art scenes were profound. As a founding member of the Forma group, he played a crucial role in the development of post-war Italian abstract art. His work, characterized by a dynamic interplay of signs and colors, remains a testament to his innovative spirit and his quest for new forms of expression. Sanfilippo passed away on January 31, 1980, in Rome, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence the art world.

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