Virginio Ferrari (b. 1937) is an internationally acclaimed contemporary Italian-American sculptor who’s monumental sculptures can be found on street corners and public parks, at universities and libraries, corporations and in private collections in Chicago, and all over the world. His work is preoccupied with creating situations that delight the eye, allowing for the interaction of sculpture and the casual observer, giving the modern city a human dimension.
He was born in Verona, Italy where he graduated from the Scuola D’Arte N. Nanni and from the Accademia Cignaroli (1959), where he received his first teaching assignment. His father and grandfather were stonecutters who established a deep respect for craftsmanship, and he continued this tradition, having his first solo exhibit in Venice, in 1962, at the age of 24. In 1964 he married Marisa Boccaccini and they subsequently moved to Chicago where he was invited to be Assistant Professor of Art and Sculptor in Residence at the University of Chicago from 1966-1976. Since then Virginio and Marisa have remained in Chicago, raising three children in Hyde Park, while Virginio devoted his full energies to sculpting.
With over thirty monumental public sculptures in Chicago alone and works acquired by civic, museum, and corporate collections in Atlanta, Deyang, Florence, Guayaquil, Los Angeles, Milan, Philadelphia, Parma, Rome, Shanghai and Verona, Ferrari has been a constant presence in the international art field resulting in over 50 solo exhibitions, while participating in more than 150 group shows.
His work has been described as lyrical abstract sculpture in bronze, stainless steel, marble and granite. His stylistic development has included transitions in expressionistic and surrealistic forms and has evolved towards geometric reduction with a minimum of means, yielding sculptures distinguished by massive force and dynamic tension. Running throughout his art even in his most formalistic works is a persistent search for life essences, a long exploration of the evolving condition of humanity and the challenges it may be presently facing.
Ferrari’s public works integrate sculpture into the architectural environment, often playfully in contrast to it, always offering opportunities for a renewed sense of ownership for the passerby. His mission has always been to humanize urban space through craftsmanship and collaboration and, through this process, to transmit positive values in sculptural form.
He holds many awards for his achievements, including the Illinois State Service Award for outstanding contributions as a sculptor who has vitalized and humanized urban spaces. Honored by the president of Italy, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, Ferrari was awarded the Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (Officer–Order of Merit of the Italian Republic) in 1992, for his important contributions to the international art world. He received the medal of the City of Verona and the Illinois Art Council Governor’s Award based on his 2003 anthological retrospective exhibit Ombre della Sera:1958-2003 at the Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea-Palazzo Forti, Verona, Italy. Virginio currently divides his time between Chicago, USA and Verona, Italy.
*For detailed information on Virginio Ferrari’s artwork please visit: www.virginioferrari.com
