Giorgio Griffa

Giorgio Griffa is an Italian contemporary artist known for his abstract paintings characterized by their simplicity, spontaneity, and exploration of the essence of painting. Born on December 6, 1936, in Turin, Italy, Griffa’s artistic journey spans over six decades and has been marked by a deep commitment to the act of painting as a process of discovery and expression.

Griffa’s early interest in art led him to study architecture, but he eventually found his true passion in painting. He was influenced by various artistic movements, including Arte Povera and Minimalism, but he developed his own unique style that defies easy categorization. His works are often associated with the Transavanguardia movement, which emerged in Italy in the late 1970s, characterized by a return to painting and a rejection of conceptual art. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Giorgio Griffa began developing his signature approach to painting. He embraced a method of painting that allowed for chance and spontaneity, emphasizing the act of creating rather than the final product. His works feature loose, gestural brushstrokes and simple geometric shapes, often on raw canvas or other untreated surfaces.

One of Griffa’s defining principles is the notion of “unfinishedness.” He intentionally leaves his paintings open-ended, allowing the viewer to engage with the work and participate in the process of completion. This sense of openness and exploration is at the core of his artistic practice, reflecting his belief in the infinite possibilities of painting. Griffa’s work is deeply influenced by his interest in Eastern philosophies and Zen Buddhism. He sees the act of painting as a form of meditation and seeks to capture the essence of the moment through his brushstrokes. His paintings are a reflection of the rhythm and energy of life, and he believes that the true essence of painting lies in its ability to convey the experience of existence.