Born on October 19, 1978 in Pietrasanta, an internationally renowned art city, where he lives and works. He graduated in 1997 from the city's Stagio Stagi Art Institute and subsequently in 2004 from the Carrara Academy of Fine Arts, majoring in sculptural techniques, with top marks. He studied under professors. Michelangelo Balderi and Rinaldo Bigi, established international sculptors.
Since he was a child he attended and worked in his grandfather's shop, Frido Graziani, a well-known and appreciated ceramist in Pietrasanta from the 1940s to the 1990s, and mastered the techniques of manipulating and working with clay, both raw and ceramic. At the same time, Matteo, always encouraged by his grandfather, practiced life drawing at the studio of the Tommasi, an important artistic family in Pietrasanta whose founder was Leone Tommasi, under the direction of Marcello Tommasi, himself a well-known sculptor and painter.
Already during the course of studies, Matthew He has participated in several high-level collective and personal exhibitions.
He has been working at the artistic foundry since 2005 Mariani of Pietrasanta. He knows almost all the techniques of artistic bronze working and today holds the specific role of "retoucher", thus becoming a direct and privileged interlocutor of the commissioning artists, including Giuliano Vangi, Fernando Botero, Igor Mitoraj, Giuseppe Bergomi and many others.
In 2017 his first solo exhibition in the Sala delle Grasce in Sant' Agostino in Pietrasanta ”"Renewal of the Spirit", during the International demonstration"“ Francigena Tuscany Marathon “, a journey between sculpture and painting where the artist focuses on medieval iconography.
For the first time in Pietrasanta, Castagnini stretches a large 26-meter painted canvas, lowered and displayed on the bell tower of the Cathedral of San Martino, as well as the following year for the second edition.
Another very important event concerns the Journalism Award “Franco Giustolisi, Closet of Shame“ where for 5 years he made a lithograph for the winners in the National context which takes place at the Senate of the Italian Republic.
In 2020, the artist immortalized a historic moment with a bronze work. A sculpture entitled "The Last Supper" will be installed at Versilia Hospital in the presence of the seven mayors.’ Stronger than the Virus ” in memory and honor of all the staff who have worked tirelessly to combat the Covid19 pandemic.
In 2021 another work of national resonance is created in Matteo's curriculum. The Italian Football Federation, under the presidency of Gravina, commissioned a bronze sculpture to commemorate the champion. Paolo Rossi and his 1982 World Cup.
The work is donated by the FIGC to Widow Rossi. A second copy will be placed in the Federation's Council Chamber, named after the Champion. We also remember him as the person who helped create the artist's idea. Michele Bertellotti, of Del Piero's shoe, on display today at Los Angeles in the same premises.
It was inaugurated on Saturday 3 August "“HISTORICALLY CONTEMPORARY”the personal exhibition of sculpture and painting by Matteo Castagnini, open until August 15, 2024 at Seravezziana Gallery Carducci Square in Seravezza.
The following people participated in the vernissage: the Municipal Administration of Seravezza, the Councillor Valentina Mozzoni, the gallery manager Paola Poli, the art critic Lodovico Gierut, and the journalist, Antonella Gramigna expert in Made in Italy.
“ Art is, first and foremost, the greatest and most authentic expression of Made in Italy. Craftsmanship reflects the grandeur of "well-made" craftsmanship, a legacy to be passed down to future generations, charting our history.” he says Gramignto.
As defined by the critic Geirut: ” The artist Castagnini demonstrates great maturity, he has his own expressive line that finds a happy synthesis in the material to be shaped”.
Sculpture is hard work. But it's also knowledge of the material. It's conception, creation.. Shaping is creating an image from the void that already exists. It is bringing out form and color, the meaning of a project initially imagined, then expressed in matter.
The themes dear to the artist Castagnini are the continuity of time, the female figure, the archaism of the Hellenic world that we often find in his works. The Woman, an image represented with a mix of modern style, a value not only symbolic but as a cornerstone of culture and dignity, solidity given by the same plastic structure represented.
“Historically contemporary”, An exhibition that recalls history, but projects its form into the future, embellished by a reading of the present framed by the warm, enveloping, welcoming colors that art often knows how to give to those who love it.
The exhibition will be open until August 15th, free admission.
Monday to Friday 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 10:00-13:00 17:00-23:00
FOR INFO: 349 0699670 – 338 4009216
