- Bea Bonafini
Ogni Pensiero Vola
Renata Fabbri is glad to present Ogni Pensiero Vola, Bea Bonafini’s first solo show in Italy.
Rooted in the compositional and iconographic research that defines the artist’s background as painter, Bea Bonafini’s work articulates transversally, moving across heterogeneous media, languages and physicalities. Relying on materials that are intrinsically related to the body and the subject’s intimate sphere, the artist shifts her pictorial register to an environmental level, combining immersive installations with a fauna of chameleonic objects and sculptural configurations.
In her recent productions, she emphasizes the use of textiles, tapestries and other materials able to project the viewer into a comfortable space. A place incarnating the sacrality and the familiarity of the domestic dimension, therefore instigating an encounter with the artwork that is both bodily and spiritual. On the occasion of her first exhibition at the gallery, Bea Bonafini not only investigates the compenetration of art and intimate spaces, it also looks into the movement of elevation and metamorphosis that goes with such intersection. As suggested in the title – which is in turn taken from an inscription found in the famous Gardens of Bomarzo – the project explores the idea of flying as a phenomenon relating to magic, spirituality as well as to the animal world. The artist floods the gallery with colourful figures; intertwined silhouttes on majestic carpets sit next to a multitude of divers, birds and other subjects peeking out of the walls.
In Ogni Pensiero Vola Bea Bonafini opens up the core of her research, bringing forward an osmotic system of symbols and forms which fluidly transform as they circulate from one work to the other. The artist further extends such personal lexicon, gathering personal and collective imaginaries, fantastic and historical narratives within the same explosive visual constellation.
Renata Fabbri is glad to present Ogni Pensiero Vola, Bea Bonafini’s first solo show in Italy.
Rooted in the compositional and iconographic research that defines the artist’s background as painter, Bea Bonafini’s work articulates transversally, moving across heterogeneous media, languages and physicalities. Relying on materials that are intrinsically related to the body and the subject’s intimate sphere, the artist shifts her pictorial register to an environmental level, combining immersive installations with a fauna of chameleonic objects and sculptural configurations.
In her recent productions, she emphasizes the use of textiles, tapestries and other materials able to project the viewer into a comfortable space. A place incarnating the sacrality and the familiarity of the domestic dimension, therefore instigating an encounter with the artwork that is both bodily and spiritual. On the occasion of her first exhibition at the gallery, Bea Bonafini not only investigates the compenetration of art and intimate spaces, it also looks into the movement of elevation and metamorphosis that goes with such intersection. As suggested in the title – which is in turn taken from an inscription found in the famous Gardens of Bomarzo – the project explores the idea of flying as a phenomenon relating to magic, spirituality as well as to the animal world. The artist floods the gallery with colourful figures; intertwined silhouttes on majestic carpets sit next to a multitude of divers, birds and other subjects peeking out of the walls.
In Ogni Pensiero Vola Bea Bonafini opens up the core of her research, bringing forward an osmotic system of symbols and forms which fluidly transform as they circulate from one work to the other. The artist further extends such personal lexicon, gathering personal and collective imaginaries, fantastic and historical narratives within the same explosive visual constellation.
Bea Bonafini, Il Trionfo, 2018Pastels on mixed carpet inlay, 480×265 cm
Bea Bonafini, Tomb Diver I, 2018Pastels on mixed carpet inlay, wood, 250×60 cm
Bea Bonafini, Let It All Out, 2018Pastels on mixed carpet inlay, 200×265 cm
Bea Bonafini, Tomb Diver II, 2018Pastel on mixed carpet inlay, wood, 210x70 cm
Bea Bonafini, Tomb Diver III, 2018Pastel on mixed carpet inlay, wood, 250x70 cm
Bea Bonafini, Tomb Diver III, 2018Pastel on mixed carpet inlay, wood, 250x70 cm
Bea Bonafini, Tomb Diver IV, 2018Pastels on mixed carpet inlay, wood, 200×100 cm
Bea Bonafini, Tomb Diver IV, 2018Pastels on mixed carpet inlay, wood, 200×100 cm
Bea Bonafini, Floating Corpse, 2018Pastel on mixed carpet inlay, wood, 140x35 cm
Bea Bonafini, Bodyless, 2018Pastels on mixed carpet inlay, wood, 55×45 cm
Bea Bonafini, Bodyless, 2018Pastels on mixed carpet inlay, wood, 55×45 cm
Bea Bonafini, Sinking Sleeper II, 2018Pastel on mixed carpet inlay, wood, 50x40 cm
Bea Bonafini, Sinking Sleeper, 2018Pastels on mixed carpet inlay, wood, 55×45 cm
Bea Bonafini (b. 1990, Bonn) is an interdisciplinary artist based between London and Barcelona. Through painting, tapestry, ceramics and drawing, she delves into the intersection of humanity with other forms of existence. Her interests are in the cyclical nature of materials and symbols as well as the revival of cross-cultural mythologies and their contemporary and personal reconfigurations. She is also interested in the emotional landscape of colour. Recently, her research has focused on Mediterranean narratives related to symbolism, collaboration, hybridity and movement.
Bonafini’s works act as transcendental openings, presenting swirling, fragmented and multi-layered scenarios that are both optimistic and tender. Expanding and contracting from the monumental to the intimate, her pieces become protected spheres, serving as receptacles for a lost spirituality. Strongly influenced by archaeology and literature, her work celebrates new and unexpected combinations and juxtapositions, where boundaries and identities co-exist and fuse.
Bea Bonafini graduated from MA painting from the Royal College of Art in London (2016) and BA Fine Art from the Slade School of Fine Art in London (2014). She was artist-in-residence at the Art Explora Mediterranean Project (2024) and the British School at Rome (2020); commissions include site-specific works for Manifesta 15, Spain (2024); ALA Prize, Italy (2023); Artocène Biennial, France (2023); Palazzo Abatellis, Italy (2022); Meta HQ, UK (2022); La Berlugane-Maleki residence, France; Maison Estelle, UK (2018); and Jonköping Council, Sweden (2018).
Recent solo exhibitions: Acque Amare, ALA Art Foundation (2023); Il Chiostro Animato, Museo di Roma in Trastevere, Rome (2022); A Monstrous Fruit, Setareh, Berlin (2022); Animals Of Your Lips, Bosse & Baum, London (2022); Unearthly, Nosbaum Reding, Luxembourg (2022); Ghosts for a Post-Modern Tale, LAAA, Mexico City (2022); Luna Piena (Stomaco Vuoto), Renata Fabbri, Milan (2021); Sfiorare Fantasmi, Eduardo Secci, Florence (2021); Twin Waves, Operativa, Rome (2019); Chimère, Chloe Salgado, Paris (2018); Shed Shreds, Lychee One, London (2018); and Dovetail’s Nest, Zabludowicz Collection, London (2017).
Recent group exhibitions: Diario Notturno, MAXXI, L’Aquila (2023); Italian Painting Today, Triennale Milano (2023); Imagina, Biennale di Gubbio (2023); Horizon of the Void, Artocène, Chamonix (2023); Coppa di Stelle nel Cerchio del Sole, Palazzo Abatellis Museum, Palermo (2022); Fondazione per l’Arte, Rome (2022); Kristen Hjellegjerde, London (2022); The Artsy Vanguard Fourth Edition, Miami (2021); Fondazione Sandretto, Guarene (2020); Premio Cairo, Palazzo Reale Milan (2019); and Memories Arrested in Space, The Italian Cultural Institute, London (2018).
Recent solo exhibitions: Acque Amare, ALA Art Foundation (2023); Il Chiostro Animato, Museo di Roma in Trastevere, Rome (2022); A Monstrous Fruit, Setareh, Berlin (2022); Animals Of Your Lips, Bosse & Baum, London (2022); Unearthly, Nosbaum Reding, Luxembourg (2022); Ghosts for a Post-Modern Tale, LAAA, Mexico City (2022); Luna Piena (Stomaco Vuoto), Renata Fabbri, Milan (2021); Sfiorare Fantasmi, Eduardo Secci, Florence (2021); Twin Waves, Operativa, Rome (2019); Chimère, Chloe Salgado, Paris (2018); Shed Shreds, Lychee One, London (2018); and Dovetail’s Nest, Zabludowicz Collection, London (2017).
Recent group exhibitions: Diario Notturno, MAXXI, L’Aquila (2023); Italian Painting Today, Triennale Milano (2023); Imagina, Biennale di Gubbio (2023); Horizon of the Void, Artocène, Chamonix (2023); Coppa di Stelle nel Cerchio del Sole, Palazzo Abatellis Museum, Palermo (2022); Fondazione per l’Arte, Rome (2022); Kristen Hjellegjerde, London (2022); The Artsy Vanguard Fourth Edition, Miami (2021); Fondazione Sandretto, Guarene (2020); Premio Cairo, Palazzo Reale Milan (2019); and Memories Arrested in Space, The Italian Cultural Institute, London (2018).
Bea Bonafini (b. 1990, Bonn) is an interdisciplinary artist based between London and Barcelona. Through painting, tapestry, ceramics and drawing, she delves into the intersection of humanity with other forms of existence. Her interests are in the cyclical nature of materials and symbols as well as the revival of cross-cultural mythologies and their contemporary and personal reconfigurations. She is also interested in the emotional landscape of colour. Recently, her research has focused on Mediterranean narratives related to symbolism, collaboration, hybridity and movement.
Bonafini’s works act as transcendental openings, presenting swirling, fragmented and multi-layered scenarios that are both optimistic and tender. Expanding and contracting from the monumental to the intimate, her pieces become protected spheres, serving as receptacles for a lost spirituality. Strongly influenced by archaeology and literature, her work celebrates new and unexpected combinations and juxtapositions, where boundaries and identities co-exist and fuse.
Bea Bonafini graduated from MA painting from the Royal College of Art in London (2016) and BA Fine Art from the Slade School of Fine Art in London (2014). She was artist-in-residence at the Art Explora Mediterranean Project (2024) and the British School at Rome (2020); commissions include site-specific works for Manifesta 15, Spain (2024); ALA Prize, Italy (2023); Artocène Biennial, France (2023); Palazzo Abatellis, Italy (2022); Meta HQ, UK (2022); La Berlugane-Maleki residence, France; Maison Estelle, UK (2018); and Jonköping Council, Sweden (2018).
Recent solo exhibitions: Acque Amare, ALA Art Foundation (2023); Il Chiostro Animato, Museo di Roma in Trastevere, Rome (2022); A Monstrous Fruit, Setareh, Berlin (2022); Animals Of Your Lips, Bosse & Baum, London (2022); Unearthly, Nosbaum Reding, Luxembourg (2022); Ghosts for a Post-Modern Tale, LAAA, Mexico City (2022); Luna Piena (Stomaco Vuoto), Renata Fabbri, Milan (2021); Sfiorare Fantasmi, Eduardo Secci, Florence (2021); Twin Waves, Operativa, Rome (2019); Chimère, Chloe Salgado, Paris (2018); Shed Shreds, Lychee One, London (2018); and Dovetail’s Nest, Zabludowicz Collection, London (2017).
Recent group exhibitions: Diario Notturno, MAXXI, L’Aquila (2023); Italian Painting Today, Triennale Milano (2023); Imagina, Biennale di Gubbio (2023); Horizon of the Void, Artocène, Chamonix (2023); Coppa di Stelle nel Cerchio del Sole, Palazzo Abatellis Museum, Palermo (2022); Fondazione per l’Arte, Rome (2022); Kristen Hjellegjerde, London (2022); The Artsy Vanguard Fourth Edition, Miami (2021); Fondazione Sandretto, Guarene (2020); Premio Cairo, Palazzo Reale Milan (2019); and Memories Arrested in Space, The Italian Cultural Institute, London (2018).
Recent solo exhibitions: Acque Amare, ALA Art Foundation (2023); Il Chiostro Animato, Museo di Roma in Trastevere, Rome (2022); A Monstrous Fruit, Setareh, Berlin (2022); Animals Of Your Lips, Bosse & Baum, London (2022); Unearthly, Nosbaum Reding, Luxembourg (2022); Ghosts for a Post-Modern Tale, LAAA, Mexico City (2022); Luna Piena (Stomaco Vuoto), Renata Fabbri, Milan (2021); Sfiorare Fantasmi, Eduardo Secci, Florence (2021); Twin Waves, Operativa, Rome (2019); Chimère, Chloe Salgado, Paris (2018); Shed Shreds, Lychee One, London (2018); and Dovetail’s Nest, Zabludowicz Collection, London (2017).
Recent group exhibitions: Diario Notturno, MAXXI, L’Aquila (2023); Italian Painting Today, Triennale Milano (2023); Imagina, Biennale di Gubbio (2023); Horizon of the Void, Artocène, Chamonix (2023); Coppa di Stelle nel Cerchio del Sole, Palazzo Abatellis Museum, Palermo (2022); Fondazione per l’Arte, Rome (2022); Kristen Hjellegjerde, London (2022); The Artsy Vanguard Fourth Edition, Miami (2021); Fondazione Sandretto, Guarene (2020); Premio Cairo, Palazzo Reale Milan (2019); and Memories Arrested in Space, The Italian Cultural Institute, London (2018).
- Bea Bonafini
- Bea Bonafini
- Bea Bonafini
September 8 — November 24, 2024
Sant Cugat del Vallè
Monastery of Sant Cuga
- Bea Bonafini
MAXXI L’AQUILA
December 3, 2023 – March 3, 2024
Curated by Bartolomeo Pietromarchi with Chiara Bertini and Fanny Borel
- Bea Bonafini
Triennale, Milan
October 25, 2023 – February 11, 2024
Curated by Damiano Gullì
Honorary Board: Francesco Bonami, Suzanne Hudson, Hans Ulrich Obrist
- Bea Bonafini
ALA Art Prize 23 goes to Bea Bonafini with the project “Acque Amare”
