Giuseppe Fioroni: Myths, Fairy Tales, Reality and Illusion

About

This vibrant exhibition of works by Italian artist Giuseppe Fioroni is a celebration of childhood fantasy inspired by the medieval age and Modern masters. Paintings of oil and multimedia on canvas have been brought together representing Fioroni's fascination with traditional narrative and folklore spanning the last thirty years. Deeply fascinated by magic, esoteric culture and the world of fairy-tales, he explores the mysticism of traditional tales and of human perceptions, blurring representation with fantastical images of raw emotion. All of these elements find an original and intense representation in his paintings, expressing his vivid imagination and penetrating the secret aspects of reality. Giuseppe Fioroni was born in Perugia, Umbria and continues to live and work in his hometown. This strength of connection to his childhood and sense of place has a strong influence on his style thanks both to its religious mystical tradition and its folklore. Still at his peak at seventy, Fioroni is considered Italy's grand old master of myths, daydreams and children's reveries. Due to his determination to explore and celebrate the hidden undertones of vernacular customs, Fioroni also plays ancient musical instruments - such as the bag-pipe and the barrel-organ - in a never-ending search for the deepest spirit of local folk traditions. This interest in music can be seen in his lyrical imagery as well as representing figures associated with musical traditions. These elements of fascination with childhood, imagination, music and visual expression are central to the Foundling Museum's collections from the Foundling Hospital. These include the emotive tokens left by mothers who were forced to leave their children in the care of the Hospital; the artworks that make up the first British public art collection initiated by William Hogarth; and objects relating to the life of composer and Hospital Governor, George Frideric Handel which includes the Gerald Coke Handel Collection. Myths, Fairy Tales, Reality and Illusion, the first London solo show for Giuseppe Fioroni, is accompanied by an exhibition catalogue including essays by A&A's Dr John T. Spike and Foundling Museum Director Rhian Harris. This exhibition is kindly sponsored by Artemisia, QuiArte and Farchioni.