Isabella Monari
was born in Bologna and is currently living and working in Rome. Her research focuses on the subject of HUMAN INTERACTIONS, PLAY and SPORT.
The protagonists of her paintings are always the interactions among individuals, often described in an ironic way, highlighting their vices and oddities; other times they are described in an almost dreamy way, in an atmosphere of suspended time. “ The theme of sport – one of the most reccurring – is actually a pretext to talk about what is happening today, and, in the light of the values it teaches, contrast the prevailing individualism”. Through play, the artist offers us a more human dimension in which to live, where “ the fight is only for pretence”, because there are shared rules, fair play and respect for the opponent.
Oil on wood is the technique she prefers. “Wood is a material that lends itself to become an integral part of the background and characters, effortlessly creating a natural harmony”
Isabella Monari has studied Foreign Languages and attended the Free School of Nude at the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna. She also has a degree in Political Sciences specializing in Sociology. Her academic background has been instrumental to her examination and portrayal of society and human relations.
She’ s currently living in Rome, where she has her art studio.
Artworks in public collections
Collection of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome
National Art Museum of Sport, Indianapolis USA
San Salvatore in Lauro Museums, Rome
CONI ( Italian National Olympic Committee), Rome
Modigliani Picture Gallery, Follonica
Youth International Exchanges office, Bologna Cityhall
Art Auctions
CHRISTIE’ S Auction. Contemporary Art for marginalized , Rome, 16 July 2019. Painting "Playing in the blue".
CHRISTIE’ S Auction. 160th Anniversary of the Vittoriale, House of the Italians, Gardone Riviera, June 2023. Painting “Grand Prix”.
International fine art prizes
Indianapolis USA - 2nd Prize "Commitment to Excellence in Art and Sport" - National Museum of Art and Sport (2014)
Institutional Presences
Beijing, Olimpic Games 2008, Italian Pavillon
Vancouver, Winter Olimpic Games 2010, Italian Pavillon
London, Olimpic Games 2012, Italian Pavillon
Indianapolis USA, National Art Museum of Sport, 2014
Art Public Exhibits
Bologna, ARTE FIERA 2008
56th Venice Biennal, collateral exhibit Global Village, 2015
Indio, CA - USA, SWAF art fair , 2016
Padova, ARTE PADOVA 2021
Paintings chosen as cover images
“ Boys match on the beach” . Cover image for the book “Teaching to train”, published by the Italian National Olimpic Commitee to commemorate the School of Sport’s 50th anniversary (2016)
“Friends beyond the walls”. Cover image for the book “Free inside ,changing is possible even in jail”, Infinito Editions, (2019)
“ I choose life” . Cover image for the Conference of the Supreme Court of Justice “Violence and gender discrimination: words and rights” (2023)
Other experiences
Public speaker at the Congress “ Art in the Olympics”. Title of the speech : “The artist view” . Giulio Onesti Center for Olympic Training, Rome, October 2016
President of the Jury at the competition “ The universal language of sport”, Rome October 2016
Some Solo Exhibitions
Rome, L’Acquario Gallery, May 2003
Follonica, Modigliani Picture Gallery, December 2003
Rome, Paolo Antonacci Gallery, June 2004
Bologna, Gnaccarini Gallery, November 2005
Rome, The Foreign Affairs Ministry Club, May 2006
Rome, Spazio sette Interior Design , December 2010
Rome, The Foreign Affairs Ministry Club, June 2013
Rome, Emperor Domitian Stadium, Women in Art Week, March 2015
Rome, Sallustiana 27 Gallery, May 2015
Roma Women in Art, Elsa Morante Culture Promotion Center, July 2016
Laguna Beach USA Forest & Ocean Gallery, September 2016
Rome, San Salvatore in Lauro Museums, May 2019
Spoleto, 62nd Festival of Two Worlds, June 2019
Padova, Arte Padova, November 2021
Publications
BOOKS
Montepaolo nella storia (2000)
Fantafiabe, Einaudi Ragazzi Editions (2002)
Italian Olympic spirit, signs communication from west to east (2008), Turin University Editions
Bologna, City Guide (2008), Bologna City
Commemorative volume for the 70th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Club, Gangemi Editions(2009)
Sport in Art, Turin University National Editions (2009)
Football: an Italian educational way to the culture of sport, Levrotto & Bella Editions
Tradition and innovation, the Italian Olympic spirit in London (2012)
Urbis et Artis, Art and Culture (2014)
Italien 2e année, Hachette Education, Paris (2014)
Images of sport, culture of sport, Italian National Olympic Academy (2016)
Vittorio Cini, l’ultimo Doge al Vittoriale, Il Cigno GG Editions, (2023)
CATALOGUES
"Isabella Monari”, Modigliani Picture Gallery (2003). Editor: Parnaso Library . Curator: Gregorio Rossi. Project: Roberto Sabatelli-Museum Director
“Les jeux sont faits” (2006) Editor: Multimedia Artel. Curator: Massimo Gazzè Riccardi. Presentation: Ambassador Umberto Vattani
“ Sunny days ” (2015) Editor: Millennium. Curator: Professor Egidio Maria Eleuteri
“ Relazioni in gioco ” (2019) Editor: Il Cigno GG. Curator: Caterina Napoleone
Exhibitions in conferences and sports awards
“Sport as Art of Masters”, LUMSA University, Rome , November 2009
“Art in the Olympics, yesterday and today”, the SCHOOL of SPORT, Italian Olympic Committee, Rome, October 2016
Polo Audi International Cup 2006 , Rome Polo Club
Sailing Tour of Italy 2006, Roma Yacht Club
Rome Horse Racing Award 2006, Capannelle Racecourse
Fencing International Cup 2008, 4th Ravagnan Trophy , Turin ( Creation of the Work of art used as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize)
Tennis International Cup 2008, 8th APT Award, Turin
Polo Openings 2016, Empire Polo Club, Indio CA- USA
Some articles where published in the following newspapers and magazines
Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera, Il Tempo, Il Giornale, Libero, Italia Sera, Il Corriere Laziale, Leggo, Il Resto del Carlino.
Events at Rome Art Week
2021
2017
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