WHAT? Claudio Parmiggiani: A Retrospective
WHERE? The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, 39a Canonbury Square, London N1 2AN
WHEN? Now until 31st August
WHY GO? To reflect upon the meaning of life. If you could imagine what silence looks like, spend a few minutes in front of a Parmiggiani artwork. It seduces and intrigues and invites the viewer to contemplate what was going on in the artist’s mind as he painted it.
This Italian artist’s work is the opposite of loud pop art symbolism, yet it is symbolism of sorts, quiet and reflective. He is said to have pioneered a new visual language for art.
This first-ever gallery showing of Parmiggiani's work in the UK is avant garde, and staged as it is in London’s premier Italian gallery, it offers a unique opportunity to learn more about a man who approached art as, "An individual experience to evoke a universal, existential truth".
Heavy stuff, yet his key artworks are light, ghostly and haunting. Born in 1949, Parmiggiani created a technique that employs smoke and soot to create ghostly images of everyday objects. It is meditative and poetic and begs the question, would you want this on your bedroom wall?
It definitely would invite dreams of a spectral nature!

IN THE KNOW Fancy a more leisurely look over a glass of vino in the stylish Estorick garden café? Check the gallery’s Late Thursdays programme when the whole gallery is open until 9pm. There will also be two Saturday morning out-of-hours tours of the exhibition on 28th June and 26th July. Check further info online.