Mario Pucciarelli

MARIO PUCCIARELLI, (Buenos Aires, 1928 - Rome, 2014).
"Development",
Mixed media on canvas.
Signed and titled on the back.
Measurements: 50 x 50 cm, 55 x 55 cm (frame).

Mario Pucciarelli's first solo exhibition took place at Galatea Gallery in 1958, where he presented oil paintings composed of sets of small rectangular shapes, somewhat irregular, applied with a palette knife and loaded with texture. These works already showed his inclination towards a free abstraction.

In 1959, he participated in the exhibitions of the Informalist Movement, where he exhibited canvases characteristic of Informalism, with thick layers of matter crossed by signs and graphics. That same year, together with Greco and other artists, he took part in the Informal Movement exhibition at the Van Riel Gallery.

In 1960, he presented at the Pizarro Gallery a series of works with fillings of different textures, one of which was awarded the Honorary Sash of the Ver y Estimar Prize. That same year, the Di Tella Institute awarded him the highest recognition to a national artist for his large-format triptych De Profundis. In July 1961, he also exhibited at the Bonino Gallery.

He is considered one of the pioneers of the Argentine informalist group. He participated in important international events such as the Venice and Sao Paulo Biennials, as well as the Solomon Guggenheim Award. His work was characterized by a deep exploration of matter, which resulted in several recognizable series. As in much of informalist art, his works do not offer an immediate or easy interpretation, as they seem to be detached from any literal meaning.