• SAHAR MOUSSAVI
• ABDOULIE CONTEH
• JIMMY GIDUDU
• SYLVAINE LE BRETON
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• MARIA EMILOV

MICHELA VELARDITA - Italy

Contacts: michelavelardita@libero.it

Stellar Light

Van Gogh's Sunflowers

acrylic, tempera, sculptural material on canvas cm 150 x 120

acrylic, oil, sculptural material on canvas cm 150 x 100

Etna

5

acrylic, oil, sculptural material on canvas 80 x 80 cm

acrylic, tempera, sculptural material on canvas cm 100 x 100

2 Sunset

1

acrylic, tempera, sculptural material on canvas cm 150 x 100

acrylic, tempera, sculptural material on canvas cm 100 x 100

About his Art

Her Biography

She was born in Caltagirone on 7.12.1963, and the premature loss of her father forced her, from adulthood, to directly manage the family business, overturning her dreams and life and professional expectations. Always fascinated by colors, she imagined a university path in law. Instead, she had to invent herself as an entrepreneur for several years, allowing her family to maintain work and economic continuity. She had to abandon her own dreams for a common purpose due to necessity. In that context, a strong motivation was born to undertake a different path to train and become a professional social worker.

After obtaining her degree, also in 1997, she moved to Novara, uprooting herself from her dearest loved ones and starting a new life, family, and the much sought-after profession.

Countless experiences and professional commitments during her working career as a social worker, coordinating public facilities for the elderly and then the "handicap and disability" service, as acting manager for the ASL of Novara and later for the Municipal Public Administration.

 Over the years, she has supplemented her work with rewarding and professionally enriching external assignments, ranging from teacher to speaker, head of training for Socio-Health Professional OSS Courses, for the Education Service of the Public Administration. She accepted a prestigious assignment for the Ministry of the Treasury, which later became an INPS assignment as an expert member in disability verification commissions. At the same time, she was offered a position as provincial union manager and coordinator of the Assistance-Health area in Piedmont. An experience she refused after a year, as she did not identify with the principles and thoughts of the category, preferring freedom of thought rather than proselytism distant from her value and existential being. Meanwhile, at a mature age, already a working woman and mother, she decided to continue her academic studies, specializing with a master's degree obtained at the University of Trieste (Social Work-Education Sciences). In the following years, she changed her work perspective, focusing primarily on issues concerning minors and adults in need, and multi-problem families in socio-economic distress.

In 2012, she felt the need to find new professional and motivational stimuli, deciding to challenge herself personally by creating and formalizing the National Association “PensieroLibero” exclusively of cultural and educational interest. Its registered office was first in Lombardy and later moved to Piedmont. A presidency and an innovative way to regenerate herself professionally as well. With the association she organized and offered countless cultural projects, socio-legal conferences, training activities, professional theatrical activities, concerts, art exhibitions, always in the spirit of gratuity and culture in the Italian Territory. A cultural association project that lasted almost a decade, now concluded.

During all this time and due to countless work and family commitments, although her passion for art and beauty in general has always been present, she has limited herself to carving out small spaces, especially in the evenings, at night, or on holidays, to isolate herself and express herself artistically. In the future, she would like to devote much more time to this passion, which she herself defines as "communicative and interactive": spots of color imbued with thoughts and emotions, works that represent in their dualism the positive and critical experiences of a long life journey. The collection of works in the autobiographical book “Paper and Dialogic Exhibition – Faces and Thoughts of the Soul” that Michela Velardita has created, in private and limited copies, giving them as gifts to art lovers, will bear witness to this.

The person and the artist are distinguished by determination, zest for life, tenacity, passion, motivation, altruism and cheerfulness, ideological and intellectual freedom always.

Michela Velardita :

 ‘’ WITH THE COLORS OF MY COSMOS I WISH TO LEAVE LIGHT, SPLENDOR, LIFE AND UNIVERSAL ETERNITY’’

 His Curriculum                                                          

The contemporary Italian artist Michela Velardita, of Sicilian origin, is the daughter of the Maestro Lorenzo Chinnici and thanks to him she made her artistic debut with the following international event, followed by various exhibitions of the painter:

- from July 21 to August 20, 2018 Art Exhibition “Angeli a Calatageron” held with the free patronage of the Municipality of Caltagirone. An exhibition organized by manager and art curator Dr. Francesco Chinnici in collaboration with other professionals and sponsors. The artistic debut event of the artist Velardita was strongly desired by Chinnici out of artistic esteem, presenting her publicly in her hometown. The exhibition event had an international media resonance of great journalistic relevance;

 -October 2018  Temporary Exhibition  at the renowned “Tenuta Bellaprima” in the Nisseno area (CL) October 2018;

 - On April 13-14, 2019, she was invited as guest of honor at the prestigious event organized by FABER- (the manufacturer of ideas) at the “Palazzo del Toscano” Catania. SICILY. Inauguration of the Sicilian Handicraft Fair, sponsored by the Sicilian Region;

 - 8-9 June 2019 exhibited in a group show at the Romanesque Parish Church of Casalvolone-ITALY 8/9 June 2019 ‘’ART IN THE PARISH CHURCH’’ ( Velardita Michela- Abelli Paolo. Rudi Bertazzo- Vaccariello Salvatore- ;

 - 15/16 June 2019 exhibited in a group show for Azimut Capital Management in Novara Piedmont in LIBERA ESPRESSIONE “NovarArte” at the AZIMUT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT headquarters, via Canobio 7 /A, group show (Velardita Michela- Abelli Paolo. Rudi Bertazzo- Vaccariello Salvatore- Viscuso Salvatore 

 - Exhibits on July 20, 2019 in Salento (Porto Gaio), first time in the water, for Gaio Yacht Gallipoli on the occasion of an event organized for the ‘’50th anniversary of Azimut Yachts’’ - ‘’LUXURY SUMMER PARTY’’ ;

 -On July 25, 2019, an impromptu exhibition was held at the noble Palazzo Crescimanno D’Albafiorita in Caltagirone, thanks to the invitation of Countess Gaetana Bartoli Gravina. On this occasion, his cosmic work was presented to an extensive international consular representation present;

 -  Debut in SWITZERLAND on 7.09.2019 in Brissago, art exhibition with Chamber Orchestra "Arrigo Galassi".

 - on October 5, 2019, exhibition in Genestrerio (CH) HELVETIA on the occasion of the concerts of the Female String Trio of the Chamber Orchestra "Arrigo Galassi".

 -in 2019 authorizes the Chamber Orchestra SWITZERLAND ‘’Arrigo Galassi’’ to display one of his artworks on the cover of the music CD ‘’Female String Trio’’ with musical notes by Vivaldi, Mozart, Hoffmeister, De Wally;

- on 18.01.2020 ''ART EXHIBITION'' YACHTS AZIMUT-BENETTI at Sales School  in Dusseldorf – Germany  DUSSELDORF, STOCKUMER KIRCHSTRABE, 61 -40474 on the occasion of the International Boat Show on the mainland;

- 23 August 2020 Collective Exhibition ‘’ ART WITHOUT BORDERS; WITHOUT LIMITS; AGELESS ‘’ with the free patronage of the Municipal Public Administration of Casalvolone at the Casalvolone sports and recreational area, in S.p. n.80 via Villata (maestro Lorenzo Chinnici- Michela Velardita- Pelaia Rosamaria- Rivadossi Piera -Scupelli Giovanni- Guglielmo Leone Scupelli-Elia Arnoldi); artistic event with an educational aspect as well;

  - on 25.01.2021 participated in the artistic project of - KIEV in UKRAINE  ‘’ SUPERHEROS FESTIVAL’’ following the project ‘’Timeless Art Immortal’’- newspaper article as an artist. The event under the guidance of the Kiev artist Uliana Storozhylova. The project is a continuation of the I Art Innovation Project for Cultural Revival and Artistic Revolution ‘’ Eternal Art Beyond Time Timeless Art, launched by the world-renowned master artist Lorenzo Chinnici and his son Francesco Chinnici (http://kievvlasdt.com.ua ) ;

  - December 19, 2021 in Casalvolone (NO) group exhibition ‘’Artistic Contamination’’  at the Sports Center on Via S. Pietro (maestro Lorenzo Chinnici- Michela Velardita- Rosamaria Pelaia- Roberto Tempio);

  - from July 16 to 25, 2022, participation in the International Art Exhibition EXPOLATINA DE ARTE "IKIGAI" Art the reason for living held at the Antiquarium Museum - Suburban Park - Merì (ME), by the Biennale of Contemporary Art of Salerno, curator and artistic director Arch. Giuseppe Gorga and curator Lawyer Olga Marciano;

   - from September 18 to 30, 2022 "Art Exhibition" in Milazzo "The nocturnes of...50th - Artistic exhibition of various artists" organized by Dr. Francesco Nicolò, in the presence of international painters including CHINNICI, DAVID KENT, GORGA, LINDA SCHIPANI.

 - from December 3 to 10, 2022, Artistically present at ‘’Le Stanze dell’Arte’’ with Solo Exhibition ‘’Galassie’’ at Palazzo Fruscione SALERNO. Exhibition organized by the President of the Salerno Contemporary Art Biennale arch. Giuseppe Gorga for Expolatinadearte ;

 - from November 26 to 27, 2022 (presentation 25.11.2022) Solo Exhibition. The Vernissage was organized by INTERNETIONAL INNER WHEEL CLUB TORINO EUROPEA – President lawyer Anna Sagone – Event held at GRAND HOTEL SITEA TURIN.

The artistic event also had social purposes: all proceeds collected by the club were donated by the president of I.W.I to Casa Giglio Torino for the creation of a Playroom for the young guests.

On the occasion of the inauguration of the exhibition on November 25, 2022, for INTERNATIONAL INNER WHEEL TORINO EUROPA, the artist Michela Velardita wished to pay tribute with the painting "Galassie 2022," in memory of the founder Margareth Golding in anticipation of the association's centenary in 2024. The painting was intentionally created using two colors, yellow and blue, the branding colors of I.W.I.. The artwork "GALASSIE" is meant as a thank you to all the women of the club, who over time have influenced the world with their ideals, culture, solidarity, social well-being, and women's empowerment. A woman of great cultural and moral depth. The painting represents the infinite nuances of life. One can admire the different constellations and the brilliance of the asteroid, the protagonist and beacon of excellence for all of us.

 - On May 13, 2023, the artist's marine works were presented in Orta S. Giulio (NO) at "La Bussola";

 - participation from September 15 to 29, 2023 in the international art exhibition Mega Art in Sicily at the Museo Contea del Caravaggio thanks to the invitation of  President Claudio Giulianelli. On the online site, the cosmic work of the artist Michela Velardita published in the browsable PDF art catalog;

 - MIXARTE BY MICHELA VELARDITA on September 17, 2023   group exhibition   with ‘’ ART EXHIBITION COLLEGIATA’’ Via degli Ulivi, 3 Caltagirone CT.

Participating artists: Michela Velardita, Lorenzo Chinnici, Giuseppe Gorga, Salvatore Lo Magno, Francesco Trimarchi, Irina Riabinova, Roberto Cinnirella, Katia Villa. Cultural Events Organizer Dr. Martina Iatrino, Graphics Dr. Federico Spadaro, Art Direction Dr. Claudia Lo Magno;

Participating artists: Michela Velardita, Lorenzo Chinnici, Giuseppe Gorga, Salvatore Lo Magno, Francesco Trimarchi, Irina Riabinova, Roberto Cinnirella, Katia Villa;

Cultural Events Organizer Dr. Martina Iatrino, Graphics Dr. Federico Spadaro, Art Direction Dr. Claudia Lo Magno;

 - MIXARTE BY MICHELA VELARDITA on September 29, 2023 will exhibit with ‘’ THE LIGHT OF ANDREA’’, group exhibition at Villa Floriano Caltagirone (CT). Participating artists: Michela Velardita, Lorenzo Chinnici, Giuseppe Gorga, Salvatore Lo Magno, Francesco Trimarchi, Irina Riabinova, Roberto Cinnirella, Katia Villa.

Cultural Events Organizer Dr. Martina Iatrino, Graphics Dr. Federico Spadaro, Art Direction Dr. Claudia Lo Magno;

 - on November 5, 2023, he exhibited his work "Galassie" at the prestigious ACCADEMIA DELLA SCIENZA in Turin thanks to INNER WHEEL INTERNATIONAL TORINO EUROPEA.

Work artistically dedicated to the asteroid "GOLDING" in memory of the founder I.W. Margarette Oliver Golding. In the cosmic artistic work, the observer will identify the Golding asteroid.

 - from 21 Oct 2023 to 5 November 2023 participation in the 5th Biennial of Contemporary Art of Salerno at Palazzo Fruscione with ‘’ INSIDE’’ in collaboration with America ;

 -along the way the artist has scheduled exhibitions in Dubai at Picasso Gallery, Genoa, Forlì, Manchester, Taormina.

PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS:

 - July 2018 exhibition of his work donated to the Municipality of Caltagirone ‘’Hortus’’ in

 ‘’ Permanent Exhibition’’ at the Municipality, first floor;

 - donation of paintings to the Municipality of Merì for the "Permanent Exhibition" of artistic works at the International Museum "Antiquarium Chinnici" - suburban park of MERI' (ME);

 - donation of a collection of paintings (six) to AZIMUT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT headquarters in Novara, via Canobio 7/A Novara -PIEDMONT for ‘Permanent Exhibition’’;

 - donation of a collection of paintings donated to the Municipality of Casalvolone for a ‘’Permanent Exhibition’’ dedicating a personal exhibition room to it at the Municipality headquarters – S.p. Via Villata 80 - Sports Center;

 - ‘’Perennial Exhibition’’ two paintings in permanent urban decor at Piazza di Merì and donated to the Municipality, reproduced from works in private collections with the Eternal Immortal Art project (an international project of 60 contemporary artists) - Open-Air Museum;

 - ‘’ Perennial Exhibition’’ of the cosmic work in China, project ‘’Timeless Immortal Art China’’ –

 - Permanent Exhibition ‘’ work at the International Nativity Scene Museum  of Porto Velhio – Brazil ;

 - Permanent Exhibition ‘’ work at the International Museum of the Crucifix - Signore Soccorso Caltagirone – Italy ;

 - on 4.12.2018, the ‘’social painting’’ also signed by Velardita with a formative purpose, painted by many hands with the final artistic touch by master Lorenzo Chinnici, created in Pace del Melo, Chinnici’s place of residence. The work was created together with students from various Calatini high schools, following the project ‘’WAITING FOR THE VERNISSAGE’’ conceived and strongly desired by the artist Velardita herself, as president of the PensieroLibero Cultural Association. The project was shared in synergy with the aforementioned Master, the Municipal Administration of Caltagirone (free sponsorship), the PensieroLibero Cultural Association, the headmistress of the high schools, teachers Prof. Pampallona Fabiola and Barone Beatrice, the Department of Culture, Councillor Prof. Concetta Mancuso, Dr. Jessica Montemagno responsible for the training course as an associate member of P.L. The painting, with the agreement of all participants, was donated to the Caltagirone Art High School and is permanently exhibited at the Institute itself thanks to the added value of Master Chinnici;

Various reviews and numerous articles from newspapers about the artistic projects in which the artist has participated. Several personal articles by the artist.

 Author of the autobiographical art collection “Paper and Dialogic Exhibition - Thoughts and Faces of the Soul” 2008-2018.

 About the artist and her art writes the critic, freelance Annalina Grasso, on the occasion of “Angeli a Calatagèron”: "a triumph of colors and shapes, imagination that bursts onto a canvas, attachment to one's land and to nature: this is the polychromatic universe of the Calatina Michela Velardita, an artist by passion, united with the feeling enclosed in the paintings of Maestro Lorenzo Chinnici. It is the Mediterranean soul that binds a renowned and well-known artist in the art world and a woman full of enthusiasm and energy, who brings into focus the colors, the colors and the scents of her Sicily, in the name of simplicity."

The intense colors in Velardita's paintings are nothing but words full of emotion and nostalgia for a time gone by. While Maestro Chinnici also looks at man, at the worker placed in an idyllic nature, Velardita instead hides the stylized faces in the rich colors, alternating full, almost vehement brushstrokes with lighter ones, evoking memories. A profound realism is hidden behind the abstract facade of Michela Velardita's paintings, who interprets the canvas as a page on which to write a chapter of her own life. (a.g.)”.

 The founder and artistic curator of the Biennale of Contemporary Art of Salerno, architect Giuseppe Gorga, also writes about the artist in his critique: Michela Velardita's painting could be defined as “Cosmic Abstractionism”. I believe this is the most suitable and representative expression for this artist, who through her canvases manages to transport the viewer on a journey full of light and colors. It is precisely the light, combined with an explosion of chromaticism that seems infinite, that I believe is the most distinctive element of Michela's soul. Strongly attached to her native land, Sicily, the “colored sparks” in Velardita's paintings are nothing but a nostalgic hymn to a time spent in this magical place, as only this wonderful island can be and can transmit to its children the beauty of a volcanic nature in every sense. (G.G.).

 From a private letter it is written about her: "Looking at 'Etna' I sense the explosion, the crackling of rocks splitting open, the sudden sizzle of water meeting the scorching magma, then, silently, the underground flow of a river of lava, where just as silently Charon pushes his boat against the current, no cries, no sound from man, no presence, no drama, only the order imperiously overturned by a natural event. Anchored in the everyday, and at the same time distant and visionary, you seek in color the path of life you desire, together with what the past and your land represent for you, the matrix of this and of that same life, your approach to art is spontaneous, self-taught, not trained in artistic expression by any School, yet it follows a path where your hands are the teachers that your taste governs. Thus your abstract paintings dwell on elements belonging to the world of landscape, air, earth, fire, and water not as pure alchemical symbols, but only as tools and means, emotional cues to access and allow access to the cosmic realm. You, Michela, using quick and varied techniques, from brush to spatula, to the use of fingers and spraying, alternating material and thick layers with thin glazes, lead us by the hand beyond the banality of the everyday, you inspire us. Beyond contingency, your canvases reflect both earthly and celestial existence. (Prof.ssa Rosamaria C. Pelaia )

 NOVARA, 16.12.2023