MICHELE SIMONETTI
Michele Simonetti is an Italian artist and architect based in Brooklyn, New York. Inspiration for his work stems from direct observation of his surroundings. Using sharp lines and high-contrast color fields, Simonetti synthesizes the urban landscape into compositions of minimal purity and spatial tension. Through abstraction and simplicity, he is able to find a shared visual language that can relate to everyone personally, culturally and emotionally. The forms are purposefully stripped of any identifying feature, becoming universal references that trigger unexpected memories and build an intimate connection with the viewer.
Chromatic distortion is another technique used by the artist to divert the audience’s attention from the original subjects. Across the canvases float thick and textured color fields in navy blue, cerulean, maroon, or gold. Ample negative spaces invite the viewer to use their imagination and build unique and personal narratives: it is an invitation to action. Simonetti says, “My work is an investigation on personal and collective memories, real and imagined worlds. I am looking for a common ground, a place of shared visual experiences.”
MICHELE SIMONETTI ON
Untitled [Blue], 2022
Acrylic on Canvas
Untitled [Blue], 2022
Acrylic on Canvas
Untitled [Gold & Deep Dark Blue], 2021
Gold Leaf & Acrylic on Canvas
36” x 24”
I paint minimalist abstract compositions that explore the relationship between real and imagined worlds, personal and collective memories. Living in New York City, my inspiration comes from my immediate surroundings: the corner of a townhouse, the curved edge of a rooftop, the silhouette of a skyscraper. The original urban references, however, are stripped of any specific feature to achieve purity of lines, colors, and geometries. In doing so, I seek to create generic and familiar landscapes that evoke memories that are intimate and personal. The use of ample negative space and stark chromatic contrasts are further invitations for the viewer to fill the voids with their own imagination and identify in each piece. By exploring a shared visual language, I discover the fascinating complexity of human perception.
ORIGINAL MICHELE SIMONETTI ARTWORKS ON
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