Born in Verona, Gianfranco Gentile developed his artistic and cultural background in 1970s Florence, where he earned a degree in Architecture. An active musician and performer within the experimental and avant-garde scenes of that era, he participated in contemporary music events both in Italy and abroad, as well as in Fluxus art movement performances and the creation of soundscapes for experimental theatre.
In the late 1990s, he entered the mainstream art world with paintings created primarily using pastels and mixed media. His work remains highly relevant today, featuring pieces on recycled packaging cardboard centred on industrial archaeology, large-scale cardboard installations inspired by environmental themes, and works addressing the migrant crisis. He has held numerous solo and group exhibitions in Italy, major European cities, China and Brazil.
Exhibitions
61st Venice Art Biennale (2026)
PROSTOR (The Space) – Kud Art Stays, Slovenia (2024)
HumanRights? Hope – Campana dei Caduti, Rovereto (2023)
Alem da Etica / Oltre l'Etica – Museo de Arte de Blumenau, Brazil (2022)
Lucca Biennale Cartasia X – International Exhibition of Paper Art (2021)
Thuis Home – Papier Biënnale 2020, Museum Rijswijk, Netherlands.
14th Curitiba International Biennial of Contemporary Art, Brazil (2019–2020)
Arteologia – National Archaeological Museum of Venice, (2018)
Metamorphosys, China-Italy Biennial. Beijing, China, (2016)
Diploma of Honor at the Asolo Art Biennial (International Prize) – Loggia della Ragione, Asolo (2012)
54th Venice Biennale, Italian Pavilion, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Sala Nervi, Turin – (2011-2012)
Rediscovered Paths of Italian Art, VAF Foundation (1947–2010)
MART Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Trento and Rovereto (2011).
Awards
Winner, 2nd Prize for Painting – 5th International Contemporary Art Biennale of Genoa (2023)
Winner of the 1st Prize Painting Category at the RomArt International Biennial of Art and Culture (2016–2017)
Forse si salveranno solo le meduse - Perhaps only the Jellyfish will be saved
The Breath of Nature
Senza Stato #2
Membership of the Society is open to all registered architects, past and present students of architecture and those who have worked in architecture, planning and landscape in Scotland. Annual membership is currently only £20, with a reduced rate of £10 for students.
If you are interested in joining SSAA please download the application form here and email it back to us to us at ssaa.gallery@btinternet.com. We will make contact to confirm receipt and arrange to receive the information for your member's page.
President, Ian Stuart Campbell.
© Scottish Society of Architect Artists 2026