TURI SIMETI
TURI SIMETI A member of the Italian branch of the international Zero movement alongside such prominent artists as Lucio Fontana and Enrico Castellani, Simeti’s work since the 1960s represents a cornerstone of twentieth century Minimalist tenets. Bestknown for his recurrent use of the ovale to shape the surface of monochromatic canvases, Turi Simeti has dedicated his half-century long career to exploring variations of graceful arrangements of these geometric forms within solid fields of bold color. Simeti’s work embodies the desire of Zero artists worldwide to create a simple, “silent” new kind of art in the years following the tumult of World War II. Simeti’s own personal desire to capture a sense of movement through his use of the oval protrusions gives the work an almost sculptural quality by creating unique plays of light and form that hold the power to transform each canvas. Turi Simeti was born in Alcamo, Sicily in 1929. After moving to Rome, Simeti became active as an artist in 1962 after becoming acquainted with Alberto Burri. In 1965, Simeti’s work was included in an exhibition of Zero artists held in Fontana’s studio, solidifying him as a valuable member of the group. Since then, his work has been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, and is included in prominent collections such as the MAM (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), the Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bolzano (Bolzano, Italy), and the Wilhelm-Hack-Museum (Ludwigshafen, Germany). Upcoming exhibitions at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice will honor the global Zero movement, drawing attention to the critical historical importance of Simeti and his fellow artists. Turi Simeti currently lives and works in Milan.
De Buck Gallery is proud to present works by Milan-based artist Turi Simeti. The works presented in the following pages were included in his exhibition, Turi Simeti: The Primary Form of Painting, on view at the gallery April 17 - June 8, 2014. Tredici Ovali Bianchi, 2013 acrylic on shaped canvas 78 3/4 x 59 inches 200 x 150 cm
Quattro Ovali Bianchi, 2014 acrylic on canvas 39 1/3 x 47 1/4 inches 100 x 120 cm
Quattro Ovali Bianchi, 2013 acrylic on canvas 39 1/2 x 47 1/4 inches 100 x 120 cm
Tredici Ovali Bianchi, 2013 acrylic on canvas 78 3/4 x 59 inches 200 x 150 cm
Uno Ovali Nero, 1980 acrylic on shaped canvas 59 x 55 1/8 inches 150 x 140 cm
Tre Ovali Bianchi, 2012 acrylic on canvas 78 3/4 x 47 1/4 inches 200 x 120 cm
Trittico Neri Con Ovali in Progressione, 2011 acylic on canvas 47 1/4 x 118 1/8 inches 120 x 300 cm
Tre Ovali Bianchi, 1994 acrylic on shaped canvas 45 1/4 x 53 1/8 inches 115 x 135 cm
Quattro Ovali Neri, 1994 acrylic on shaped canvas 78 3/4 x 47 1/4 inches 200 x 120 cm
Cinque Ovali Bianchi, 2011 acrylic on shaped canvas 31 1/2 x 31 1/2 inches 80 x 80 cm
Cinque Ovali Neri, 2010 acylic on shaped canvas 31 1/2 x 31 1/2 inches 80 x 80 cm
Cinque Ovali Bianchi, 2013 acrylic on shaped canvas 39 1/3 x 39 1/3 inches 100 x 100 cm