Biography

Fabio Viale is a sculptor who has managed to make his name on the international art scene with works made of marble that are so engaging as to become events. In 2002 he constructed Ahgalla, a boat sculpted out of marble that cannot only float but also carry people, with the help of an outboard motor. It has been launched in Carrara, Turin, Rome, Milan, Venice, Saint Petersburg and in 2011 in Moscow. This and other performances have always been reported on the principal TV channels and in the leading newspapers and magazines. The numerous shows in Italy and abroad, curated by eminent art critics, have singled him out as an artist of great interest for numerous important collections, both public and private. In 2008 a graduation thesis at the University of Turin was devoted to him under the title “Fabio Viale, a contemporary sculptor”. His works have been displayed at the most important contemporary art fairs, including those of New York, Basel, Miami, and London. In 2009 the Loft Project Etagi in St Petersburg organised a major solo show of his work which attracted over 30,000 visitors. On this occasion, Aghalla 2 was launched on the waters of the Neva in the presence of the main Russian TV news channels. In 2010 he made Cavour, a monument to Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour for the Quirinale in Rome, and in 2011 he had a solo show at the Moscow “Garage” centre for contemporary art. In the following year, the Museo del Novecento in Milan displayed his most representative works at a solo show, purchasing a sculpture for its permanent collection. 2013 marked his debut at the Sperone Westwater in New York: an extensive project complete with catalogue. In 2014 he won the prestigious contemporary art prize, the Premio Cairo. In 2015 he began his collaboration with the Poggiali gallery of Florence which, among other events, led in 2016 to the display for the first time in history of two contemporary art sculptures in one of the most famous churches in the world: the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence, the complex which boasts the greatest concentration of sculptures by Michelangelo worldwide. Two versions of Michelangelo’s Pietà were presented on this occasion. In 2017 he received the 52nd Le Muse International Prize in the Salone dei Cinquecento of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. He was also invited by the Town Council of Forte dei Marmi to display at the newly-renovated Fortino. The exhibition is entitled Door Release. Fabio Viale was born in Cuneo in 1975; he lives and works in Turin.