One that almost got away – an exhibition of graphic work from the pen, brush and agile mind of Maurizio Fontanello is now on at the Galleria Comunale in Barga Vecchia. Very little publicity on the streets for this event and as the artist has to come from Livorno to open the gallery it has not been open every day but it is well worth the effort in trying to see these drawings and paintings “in the flesh” so to speak. His is a strange mix of styles and iconography with more than just a hint of the aquatint prints from Francisco Goya know as “Los Caprichos” showing through in many of the works on show in this exhibition. Add to that just a hint of German Expressionism  and a healthy dose of dark humour and you start to get something of the tone and pitch of these works.

Click on the link below for a short interview with the artist (in Italiano) where he explains some of the forces that push him to make these images.

[Click here for slideshow]

More information about Maurizio Fontanello can be found on his site here

maurizio_fontanello_13june2009